Aucklanders flock to public transport after introduction of half-price fares

Bus journeys in Auckland have only risen marginally since the introduction of half price fares. Photo / File

Aucklanders have flocked back to public transport since the Government's half-price fare initiative started this month.

Figures from Auckland Transport show in the previous and first full weeks around the introduction of half-price fares on April 1, the number of bus, ferry and train journeys rose by 24 per cent.

In the week of March 21-27, 802,593 public transport journeys took place. In the week from April 4-10, the number rose to 993,722.

The figures represent a 6 per cent increase in pre-Covid public transport numbers, from 51.8 per cent to 57.8 per cent.

An AT spokeswoman said the significant increase across the AT Metro network was fantastic to see. Last Thursday was the busiest day with 175,774 passenger trips.

She said AT is expecting a 10 per cent to 15 per cent increase in passenger numbers in the coming months as a result of increased fuel prices, combined with the half-price fare discount and a reduction in Covid-19 restrictions and case numbers.

Public transport boardings have risen, but not substantially, since half price fares started on April 1. Photo / File

"Due to the timing of the peak of Omicron passing, it will be difficult for us to know whether increases in passenger numbers are due to discounted fares, or broader changes in travel patterns as we get past the peak of the Omicron outbreak," she said.

The half-price fares run for three months until the end of June as part of a response by the Government to address the cost of living crisis. Other measures were cutting fuel excise taxes and road user charges by 25 cents a litre.

Last month, AT said reducing Covid-19 restrictions, not half-price fares, is the key to people getting back on public transport.

An AT spokesman forecast an increase in passenger numbers as a result of half-price fares but said the main driver of patronage returning will be from the easing of Covid-19 restrictions and case numbers.

The pandemic has had a massive impact on public transport numbers, which peaked at 102 million in 2019 and plummeted to 7 per cent of pre-Covid levels in the third quarter of last year.

By December, patronage rose to 50 per cent, before dipping again with the outbreak of Omicron in Auckland.

Transport Minister Michael Wood was encouraged by the 24 per cent lift in public transport numbers since half-price fares were introduced.

"The Government's transport support package is making a real difference to hard-working families currently struggling with rising costs in these uncertain times.

"Now is a great time to try out public transport and I encourage people to give it a go," he said.