Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland had its busiest day on public transport since 2019 last week, and the capital has seen 10 percent more passengers on the train in the past month. File photo. Supplied / Environment Canterbury
A cheaper bus or train fare would be far better than working from home to avoid rising fuel prices, say commuters, despite the local government minister ruling it out.
Simon Watts says the government is not looking at any change or incentive model in regards to public transport.
“Public transport usage by New Zealanders has already increased, we’ve seen that flow through in our major urban cities,” he said.
“That’s obviously a result of Kiwis making the conscious decision to take public transport versus driving their vehicle and that’s what you’d expect with prices at the pump being higher.”
He said it should be up to New Zealanders to make their own decisions, based on their own circumstances.
But petrol has sky-rocketed by more than 83 cents a litre and diesel has shot up $1.33 since the US and Israel began attacking Iran.
Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington, and Canterbury Regional Councils are asking the government to encourage people to use more buses, trains, and ferries – rather than work from home.
People RNZ spoke to in central Auckland on Monday said they would prefer that.
“I do like working from home but working in the office is also really nice, it’s more collaborative,” said one commuter.
“I would prefer to have cheaper public transport,” said another.
Shay Peters from Robert Walters Recruitment Agency said a lot of jobseekers preferred to work from home.
“As we’re in tougher economic times, people are probably erring on the side of caution and will like to be in the office but I know a number would also like the opportunity on balance to be able to just save cash and be working from home at the moment.”
Last Tuesday was Auckland’s busiest day on public transport since 2019, and the capital has seen 10 percent more passengers on the train – and six percent on the bus – within the past month.
Greater Wellington Regional Council Public Transport Committee chair Ros Connelly would also like to see subsidised fares.
“There’s no doubt in my mind and from the surveys and customer feedback that we receive that the cost of public transport still is a significant barrier to people. Obviously since we’ve seen the fuel crisis, comparatively the cost of public transport has decreased but still it is extremely expensive.”
She said the train from Masterton to Wellington can cost up to $22.50 each way, per day.
“That is a barrier for many people and so they will look at other options. Working from home is definitely popular but if there was an increased subsidy we’re really confident that we would see more people on public transport and as fuel prices increase this is one way that the government can ensure that people get to work.”
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said it was a no-brainer to make public transport free.
“Fares have gone up by as much as a third in Canterbury, by a quarter in the Manawatū-Whanganui region and Auckland also has seen fare increases in the realm of 15 to 20 percent over the last three years. We need to remove those barriers to access and also be reserving fuel supply for those who actually need it and don’t currently have the option.”
Stacey van der Putten from Auckland Transport would welcome that.
“We’re monitoring it daily so there will be adjustments that are needed but the system does have flex to be able to support it.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/high-petrol-prices-cost-of-public-transport-still-a-significant-barrier-to-people/