Rail pass move 'discrimination'

Train crews can no longer sell day passes to families or individuals which will upset some families. Photo / Doug Sherring

Families in many parts of Auckland face discrimination through reduced availability of discount rail travel, says the Campaign for Better Transport.

Auckland Council members are also demanding answers from their transport subsidiary.

Train crews can no longer sell day passes to families or individuals - for $24 and $12 respectively. They are also no longer available from new platform ticketing machines.

Those wanting passes must first travel on full fares to ticketing offices at one of just four stations - Britomart, Newmarket, New Lynn or a new facility opening today at Papakura.

Campaign for Better Transport convener Cameron Pitches says that is unfair to "anyone who doesn't live within cooee" of those stations.

A Manukau family of two adults and four children, the maximum covered by a family pass, would have to spend $29.60 travelling four stages to Newmarket, or $14.80 for two stages on two separate trains to Papakura, before paying a further $24 for the concession.

Council transport chairman Mike Lee said he raised concern from train staff at an Auckland Transport board meeting several weeks ago but had heard nothing back.

Auckland Transport spokeswoman Sharon Hunter said the passes would be available from today at a new temporary ticketing office in Papakura, and similar facilities would be added later to other stations, including Manukau next winter.