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...

More Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements
Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements

Researchers say there's more evidence to support the repealed Smokefree policies.

Jem Traylen 26 Jul 2024
Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers
Economy In-depth

Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers

Let's pay billions of dollars and get nothing new for it.

Nikitin Sallee 25 Jul 2024
Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...
Policy Business of Government

Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...

Our weekly roundup of public sector news and analysis.

Jem Traylen 24 Jul 2024