10 October 2008
Peters Urges NZ Bus To Reconsider Wellington Fare Decision
New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the decision by a Wellington bus company to increase some fares for
60-65 year olds is inconsistent and he urges the company to reconsider.
“It is simply a matter of greed by NZ Bus and its owner Infratil,” said Mr Peters.
“To use the SuperGold Card initiative as an excuse for raising fares goes against everything the Card was set up for.
“As part of the SuperGold Card initiative, New Zealand First negotiated free off-peak travel for those over 65. This
began on 1 October in most regions and is fully subsidised by the Government. There is nothing in the policy that could
justify NZ Bus’s decision to remove discounted rates on some of its fares for seniors aged between 60 and 65.
“This decision by NZ Bus means that the cost of an all-day off-peak pass in the Wellington region has risen from $5 to
$12 for those seniors not yet eligible for a SuperGold Card.
“Yet NZ Bus is still offering discounted rates on off-peak single trip tickets for the same age bracket.
“This inconsistency shows NZ Bus’s rationale for its decision as the flimsy excuse it is. Rather, it is just a quick,
greedy decision to make some extra profit.
“It is a mean-spirited attack on a small group of senior citizens who deserve better and I urge NZ Bus to reconsider,”
said Mr Peters.
ENDS