KEY POINTS:
A double whammy of high fuel prices and global recession is being cited for big increases in public transport use in New Zealand's largest city.
Auckland Regional Transport Authority statistics show public transport patronage grew 8 per cent for the year to December, to more than 57.7 million trips - a 24-year high.
Leading the way is an 86 per cent rise in Northern Express passenger numbers and a 7 per cent increase across other bus services.
Rail services have also increased in popularity, with Aucklanders taking 18 per cent more rail journeys for a total of more than 7.2 million passenger trips. Ferry patronage was down 2.2 per cent
for the year, but January figures show a 6.8 per cent increase on the same time last year.
Mike Noon, spokesman for the AA, said many people had "trialled" public transport when fuel prices were at their highest and, as prices stabilised, the recession likely helped keep commuters on the train or in the bus.
"I would think there's quite a bit of pressure for people looking at household budgets and how they are managing their spending.
"There will be people looking at all of their costs, and running a vehicle to work can be quite a significant cost."
Mr Noon says local bodies also deserve congratulations for making a bus trip or train ride a viable alternative to driving the car to work.
The figures come as Transport Agency numbers show the Auckland and Northland region experienced negative growth in vehicle numbers in 2008.
Volumes were down each quarter, bottoming out at 6.6 per cent down in June on the same time in 2007.
ARTA chief executive Fergus Gammie attributes the public transport renaissance to a variety of factors, including double tracking of the Western rail line, improvements to bus routes, and fare reductions for elderly and student customers.
