Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
The Greater Wellington Council is considering raising public transport fares in the region by 10 percent.
Chair Daran Ponter says they are caught between a financial rock and a fiscal hard place.
"Do we ask passengers to pay more to use public transport, or do we hike rates even higher?"
He said inflation and escalating expenses were to blame.
"We'd never consider an increase of this size if we weren't also faced with tough choices about raising rates and cutting spending in this year's Long Term Plan."
Metlink estimates a further 3.3 percent rates rise would be required if the fares did not increase.
Public transport is jointly funded by central government and the regional council, with fares only covering about a third of costs.
Greater Wellington Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash said while fares have stayed low, the cost of public transport has gone up significantly.
"We have deliberately kept fare increases below the level of inflation over the last few years to protect people from cost-of-living pressures," he said.
He said a 10 percent increase would still leave public transport competitively priced compared to using private vehicles, once you take into account fuel, parking, insurance and maintenance.
Fares increased by six percent across the region last year after no increase in 2022 or 2021.
The fares would increase from the 1 July next year if regional councillors chose to proceed at the annual fares review on Thursday.
Off peak and weekend fares on the Metlink network will remain half price as will travel for community services and total mobility card holders.
