More than 600 people have put their name to a petition opposing price hikes for Wanganui's Durie Hill elevator.
Under the new prices, an adult's one-way ticket will increase from $1 to $4, and adult 10-trip tickets will rise from $8 to $15.
The changes take effect from August 1.
Petition organiser Melissa Casey said at least 644 people had signed, and the number was likely to rise once she collected copies from the Durie Hill dairy, hairdressers, and fish and chip shop.
The petition is now closed.
"We've had lots of good comments and some scary stuff too, when you think about how we're being encouraged to look after the world," Ms Casey said.
"Like people will use their cars because it will be easier and might be a bit cheaper when they've got several kids."
She said demographics on Durie Hill meant the elevator was a necessary asset, rather than a luxury.
Many people in the area did not have cars, and relied on the elevator to travel to the city centre.
Ms Casey's research indicated 20 percent of the suburb's residents were under 15, and 15 percent were older than 65. Half of Durie Hill's population had an income of less than $30,000.
"Those are people who can't afford huge price increases.
"Families and solo parents would be really pushed to make the payments."
Ms Casey and other Durie Hill residents met with councillor Alan Anderson last week to discuss the issue, which will be on the table at the Wanganui District Council's finance and infrastructure committee meeting tomorrow.
Although the meeting was held in confidence, Mrs Casey said it was a good talk and residents would attend the committee meeting to hear the council's decision.
The council has applied for Land Transport New Zealand funding for the elevator, which could reduce the full impact of the price increase.
Deputy mayor Dot McKinnon said the application looked positive, and council officers would report back once it became clear how much the subsidy was worth.
Hundreds sign elevator petition
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