Public transport has come under the spotlight as Greater Wellington Regional Council undertakes its first review of Wairarapa services since 2004/05.
Wairarapa ratepayers are contributing nearly $600,000 this year to subsidise bus and train services, according to a report by the regional council.
Of this, Masterton ratepayers contribute $220,537, Carterton ratepayers $125,405
and South Wairarapa ratepayers $264,429.
Transport consultant Brian Baxter said the amount each council paid depended on which services ran in each district.
He said about 1000 people used the commuter train services daily, but the council was surveying train users tomorrow to clarify this.
"Hopefully we'll get some information," said Mr Baxter.
The council contracts Tranz Metro to run three services between Masterton and Wellington at peak times during the week, two services during off-peak times during the week and weekends, and a Friday night service in each direction.
An estimate for the 2010/11 year, based on nine months of already-collated statistics, shows ratepayers are contributing $345,000 to Wairarapa train services.
This is about 20 per cent of the total subsidy, as Wellington City ratepayers contribute the same amount and the New Zealand Transport Agency picks up the rest of the bill.
About 690,000 one-way trips are expected to be made by Wairarapa passengers during this period, most during peak times.
Masterton-to-Featherston bus services are also being used.
In 2006 about 48,000 people were using the service but Mr Baxter said this "virtually doubled" in 2007 as a result of extra services being provided, and has held steady ever since.
Over 99,000 trips were made on the weekday services last year, and although this is projected to drop to 97,300 trips, Mr Baxter said it was not a significant change.
The council also subsidise Total Mobility and Red Cross transport services in Wairarapa, contributing $128,000 to the schemes this year.
Total Mobility is a scheme for people with serious mobility constraints to receive 50 per cent off taxi fares.
To contribute to the review, a survey can be completed online at www.gw.govt.nz/wairarapareview by July 19.
