Whether it’s groceries, rent, power bills or fuel, households are feeling the pressure. That’s why Labour has announced a simple but significant policy that will put money back in people’s pockets: a weekly cap on public transport fares.
Under a Labour government, public transport users in Dunedin would pay no more than $10 a week, no matter how many bus trips they take. Once a passenger reaches the cap, every additional trip that week would be free.
Dunedin is well-placed to benefit from this policy.
Thousands of residents already use our bus network every week, including students, workers, retirees and families.
For someone travelling to work each day, heading to classes at the University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic, or regularly using public transport for appointments and activities, a $10 weekly cap would provide immediate savings and greater certainty about weekly costs.
Last week, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere visited Dunedin and discussed the proposal with representatives from both the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council.
Those conversations focused on how a fare cap could work alongside our existing public transport network and ticketing systems, and the opportunities it presents for communities across Otago.
Public transport should help people get ahead, not become another financial burden.
A weekly fare cap would encourage more people to use public transport, while ensuring existing users benefit from lower and more predictable costs.
The benefits extend beyond individual households. More people choosing buses means less congestion on our roads, lower transport emissions and better value from the public transport infrastructure we already invest in.
It is a practical policy that delivers cost-of-living relief while strengthening the services many people rely on every day.
At a time when every dollar counts, Labour’s $10 weekly fare cap would make a real difference for Dunedin residents.
For thousands of people who rely on buses each week, it means cheaper travel, greater certainty, and more money available for the things that matter most.
