The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is calling on mayoral candidates Efeso Collins and Leo Molloy to be upfront with voters about whether they will reduce capital investment in roading or increase rates to fund free public transport.

There are growing calls to make public transport in Auckland ‘fare-free’. A report commissioned by First Union and the Public Service Association (PSA) released this morning argues that public transport should be a ‘right’ and free at the point of use.

However, the report’s author, Dr Jenny McArthur of the University College London, makes it clear that the policy would mean higher taxes or less money for roads. While discussing these options, Dr McArthur states on page 34 of the report: “To complement fare-free public transport’s aim of encouraging a large shift towards public transport and more efficient use of existing roads, reducing capital investment in new roads or road upgrades could free up significant revenue.”

Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman Josh Van Veen says, “Efeso Collins and Leo Molloy are both campaigning for free public transport. This reflects broad public support for the idea. But neither has given a credible explanation as to how this policy will be funded.”

"Councillor Collins has said that he would ‘take from certain (other) parts’ of the Council budget. He is yet to specify what the trade-off would be,” Mr Van Veen says. “But given his endorsement of Dr McArthur’s report this morning, there should be no room for ambiguity. Councillor Collins must tell Aucklanders if he would take the Welsh approach and put a freeze on new road projects.”

“On the other hand, Mr Molloy has claimed that Auckland Council can use revenue from the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT) to pay for a trial of free public transport. At the same time, he promises to cancel the RFT, freeze rates, and build expensive new infrastructure. Mr Molloy can’t do all these things.”

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