"NZ Transport Agency's policy is that 50 per cent of the cost of the fare is paid by the customer. The remaining cost is then split between NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Council," Hannan said.
A spokesman said the 50 per cent fare recovery target was relatively high by international standards.
"When calculating fares AT has to find the balance that makes public transport affordable and appealing but also provides value for money for the ratepayer and taxpayer."
The Automobile Association's Barney Irvine said Auckland members frequently complained fares were too high.
"Many people say the cost is a big disincentive to them getting out of their cars and onto the bus or train," Irvine said.
"When people call for fares to be lowered, however, we'd remind them that 50 per cent of costs are already covered by ratepayers and motorists (through fuel tax). So if we were to decrease fares, we'd be paying more through our rates and at the fuel pump, or money would be taken away from other projects."
Auckland Transport's website showed a monthly unlimited rail and bus pass was $37 more than stated in the report, at $210.
"The monthly pass cost of $210 is calculated to be very near the equivalent of 43 trips travelling across three zones (43 is the average number of trips taken per month over the whole year)," Hannan said.