Horizons Regional Council to increase bus fares for first time since 2011

Horizons Regional Council will increase bus fares in Whanganui for the first time since 2011 in response to new policy requirements set by the Government. Photo / Horizons Regional Council

Users of Connect bus services can expect an increase in bus fares in 2026, which Horizons Regional Council says is to meet new policy requirements.

From January 19, the fares will rise for the first time since 2011.

They will increase by 10%, with a 15% increase in phase two in the 2026-27 financial year.

Transport services manager Mark Read said the 25% increase was a response to a national directive from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

“The directive was made to all NZ public transport authorities through the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024-34, with the expectation of increasing our private share revenue,” Read said.

“This change will bring our fares in line with Government expectations along with our own funding policy.”

Read said it was a coincidence the increase was occurring at the same time as changes were being made to the Whanganui bus services.

“We’re adjusting fare pricing to meet NZTA requirements, not as a result of recent or upcoming network changes,” he said.

“This means our fare zones, transfers between services and users who currently ride fare-free will all remain unchanged.”

Anthonie Tonnon, the Whanganui District Council representative on Horizons’ passenger transport committee, said the price increase should not be too much of a barrier for users.

“I think it’s about the right time,” Tonnon said.

“An increase is always difficult; however, if you look at our public transport fares, they have been about the same since 2011 so they really haven’t followed inflation.

“We need a balance. We need to make it affordable but also we need to make sure we are bringing in enough income, that it is sustainable for us.”

Tonnon, who is also Whanganui’s Durie Hill Elevator operator, said there was no impact on usage when the elevator charge went from $2 to $2.50.

“I hear from both sides on this one ... I think some increases at this time is understandable.”

Read said Horizons acknowledged the impact on households, in relation to cost of living pressures, as a result of the fare increase.

“This is why we’ve chosen to implement this change in a stepped manner, instead of increasing fares fully in one go,” he said.

“One of our strategic priorities listed in our Long Term Plan is to connect people and place through effective public transport connections, and we are committed to maintaining this.

“We’ve worked hard to achieve a middle ground where we’re meeting the expectation set through this directive, while still delivering an affordable, quality service to our customers.”

Read said people who usually paid cash fares could save money by getting a Bee Card.

“Bee Card fares are cheaper than cash fares. Using a Bee Card also enables people to access fare capping, where they only have to pay for a certain number of trips each week before the rest of their trips are free,” he said.

The rollout of a new national public transport ticketing system called Motu Move is estimated to be a while away.

For more information about the fare changes, visit Horizons.govt.nz

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.