Wairarapa train commuters are likely to escape a fare increase this year, the Greater Wellington Regional Council says.
Council chairwoman Fran Wilde said a decision would be made this month, but the situation was looking positive at the moment, thanks to the increasing number of people taking the train and lower than expected oil prices.
"Public-transport passenger numbers are increasing by more than 2 per cent compared to this time last year, with an almost 6 per cent [increase] in rail-passenger numbers, which directly benefits our revenue stream. And oil prices are considerably lower than we had budgeted for," she said.
"On that basis, we agreed that a fare increase doesn't seem necessary - but we'll make a final decision in due course."
The council reviews public-transport fares every year and has a policy of small, annual fare increases rather than occasional large increases.
