Who says there's no such thing as a free bus

Who says there's no such thing as a free bus
A bus pulls into the Christchurch bus interchange could it be free to catch one day? (Image: Oliver Lewis).
Oliver Lewis
A move to halve public transport fares in response to the high cost of fuel has boosted calls to make trains, buses and ferries permanently free.The prime minister announced a 25c per litre reduction in fuel taxes on Monday as well as half-price public transport fares for three months.Compared to the $350 million cost of the fuel tax cut, the public transport move was costed at about $25m to $40m.Auckland councillor Efeso Collins, who is campaigning for the mayoralty on a platform including fare-free public transport, welcomed the move, as did...

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Oliver Lewis 11 Jul 2025