Rail fares set to increase

Wairarapa commuters are likely to be hit with a 3 per cent increase in train fares later this year, after Greater Wellington Regional Councillors agreed on the increase yesterday.

The increase is to create a 3 per cent increase in revenue overall, to help sustain public transport in the region.

Wairarapa train users were hit with a 5 per cent increase in train fares last October.

The recommendation for the increase has been included in the Long Term Plan, and if agreed upon is likely to be in place in October.

Public transport fares are review annually by council.

Economic Wellbeing Committee chair Peter Glensor said the rise was needed to meet rising costs and service debts for service improvements.

"Regular fare increases are necessary to ensure that debt servicing costs of major improvements and the costs of providing day-to-day bus, train and harbour ferry services are paid for equitably through our funding sources: rates, central government and fares," he said.

"Without relatively small and regular fare increases, we'll fall under that line and this would mean having to catch up with a whopping big fare increase in a few years' time."

People who pay fares in cash will be hit the hardest, as the increase would be rounded to the next 50c. The increase is likely to affect multi-trip ticket holders. Masterton District Councillor and part-time commuter Lyn Patterson said she thought most commuters understood how fares were reviewed.

But she said despite the increase in prices, commuters were still generally upset about the level of service.

"Even though fares are going up, we still have a capacity problem on the train," she said. Details of the fare increase will be finalised in the next few months, and the plan is open now for public consultation.