Free Fares NZ is urging the government to increase public transport funding in the 2026 Budget.
Backed by a coalition of more than 100 organisations, including local government bodies, unions, students’ associations, welfare groups and climate advocacy organisations, Free Fares NZ says the campaign supports permanent free public transport for four priority groups.
It also calls for fares to be made free for all users for the duration of the fuel crisis.
“The ongoing fuel crisis highlights New Zealand’s dependence on fossil fuels in our transport sector,” Free Fares NZ spokesperson Christopher Hawkins said.
“Combined with the high cost of living, kiwis are hit hard by rising fuel prices. Making public transport free, especially to those who are most affected by rising transport costs, is a quick and cost-effective way to provide relief to kiwis doing it tough.”
“Evidence shows cheaper fares get more people using public transport, which leads to less congestion and allows fuel to be prioritised for those who really need it: people in regions with no public transport or industries who rely on fuel.”
According to Frances Mountier, another spokesperson for Free Fares NZ, “Free public transport supports people with cost of living, decreases emissions, and improves public health and economic productivity.”
“If the government is looking for economic efficiency in this budget, improving access to public transport is one of its best options in terms of per-dollar investment.”
“The Free Fares campaign also calls on the government to scrap their proposed cuts to Total Mobility Card reimbursement levels. TMC holders already pay some of the highest transport costs in the country. Now is the moment to make fares free, not to increase them,” Mountier added.
Andrew Wilks, Director of Sustainability at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, said making public transport free for students is an investment in the future.
“We need our students to be able to focus on learning to prepare them for their careers ahead, rather than worrying about whether they can afford to get to campus.”
“Given the cost-of-living challenges presented by rising fuel costs, the end of the Fees Free tertiary scheme, competition for part-time paid work, and a climate crisis, offering free public transport to students is simply a smart and future-focused choice.”
OraTaiao Transport Lead and GP in Tāmaki, Dr Steve Grimson, said improving consistent access to public transport should be a priority for any politician serious about community health and wellbeing.
He said it would deliver benefits for health and climate outcomes while also helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as supply becomes less reliable and more expensive.
“Getting people out of cars will reduce air pollution (which leads to thousands of premature deaths in New Zealand every year), reduce congestion on our roads, reduce deaths and injuries from traffic accidents, and make our economy less dependent on volatile fossil fuels.”