The Waikato Regional Council is proposing to increase bus and train fares by 11.4 per cent from 1 July 2025, by 5 per cent to meet new government targets for private share funding, and by 6.4 per cent to reflect inflationary increases in public transport operating costs.
Fares will then increase by 10 per cent per annum in the four subsequent years.
Council will be seeking public feedback on a region-wide public transport rate in April, with the rate to take effect from 1 July 2025.
The two public transport rating models are a weighted distribution model with a per property charge applied across the whole region, and a weighted distribution per property charge for all areas except Hamilton where a capital value-based charge would continue to apply.
The use of a prior year surplus of $4.1 million and the final budget and rates revenue for the 2025/26 year will be set following further deliberations in May.
Originally published on 15 February 2025 in the Waikato Times
