Fare freeze for Wairarapa rail commuters

On Wednesday, Greater Wellington Regional Council voted to continue its public transport fare freeze for another year, a move that includes the cost to ride on the Wairarapa commuter line.

There has been a fare freeze on public transport including Wairarapa commuter trains.

On Wednesday, Greater Wellington Regional Council voted to continue its public transport fare freeze for another year, including it in its Draft 10-Year Plan.

Earlier this month, chairwoman Fran Wilde said fares were unlikely to rise, thanks to the increasing number of people taking the train and lower-than-expected oil prices.

The success of the new Matangi train fleet and savings made through more people using the trains were also factors.

"Our focus on improving train networks has worked and has provided a major boost to train patronage numbers.

"This, and other factors, have allowed us to once again keep public transport fares at the same rate for the second year running," she said.

Over the next 10 years, the council indicated a key focus would be on increasing public transport usage and improving infrastructure.

"Many of these projects are designed to encourage people to leave their cars at home and to look to public transport as a regular commuting option," said Mrs Wilde.

She said the fare freeze would make it more affordable for passengers, helping with the drive to get more people using trains, buses and harbour ferries.

Other initiatives in the plan included protecting communities from flood risk, taking a lead role in ensuring water quality improves and increasing emergency preparedness.

To pay for these, the council is proposing an average rates increase of about $38 - or 9.8 per cent - for the average residential home in the 2015/16 financial year.

This equates to 73c a week for the average home.

GWRC has maintained the cost of its existing services at a 1.1 per cent rates increase.

Public submissions on the draft plan will open on March 16.