Waikato regional councillors have voted to increase fares on the Te Huia train service between Hamilton to Auckland.
It means the price for a one-way adult fare from Frankton to the Strand and would cost $32.50, instead of $24.06, with a Bee Card.
Following a request at the February council meeting, staff presented three fare increase options to the May meeting: no change, a 10% increase, and the 25% increase. The latter was chosen by a 12 to 2 vote.
This decision came amid surge in passenger numbers, with patronage for March and April up 52% compared to last year.
Councillors acknowledged that higher fuel prices were likely encouraging more people to leave their cars at home.
The council noted that fares have been held at a relatively low rate for the initial years of the trial. An amended resolution that would have increased fares by 60% was voted down.
Council Chair Warren Maher said councillors were concerned about managing fuel costs without affecting ratepayers.
“We don’t want to ask ratepayers to pay more, so increasing passenger revenue is our only real option given that our other revenue sources for the rest of the trial are set," he said.
The final year of the trial ends on June 30 2027, and the council encourage ratepayers to use the service now to ensure it became a permanent service.
“If you want to see Te Huia become a permanent service, the best thing you can do is use it now,” said Maher.
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