Regional Train Fares Set to Rise 15pc; THEIR VIEWS

By CHURCHOUSE, Nick

PRESSURE on transport systems is forcing the regional council to increase train fares by 15 per cent, the first rise in 10 years.

Greater Wellington regional council’s strategy and policy committee has recommended the increase along with a 10.3 per cent rise in transport rates and a 6.3 per cent increase in general rates.

The committee was considering the proposed 2006-16 long-term community plan and the 2006-07 annual plan.

Chief financial officer Barry Turfrey said the increases were to help finance a 10-year plan to spend $490 million on the region’s transport systems, including $333 million investment in new trains.

About $435 million of government funding has been secured but the extra had to be split between ratepayers and rail users, Mr Turfrey said.

Two-thirds of the general rates increase was assigned to transport costs. Last year’s general rates increase was 4.26 per cent.

If signed off by the council next month, the changes will increase the price of an adult 10-trip train ticket on the Johnsonville line from $24 to $27.60 from July 1. Monthly rail passes to Wellington from Masterton and Paraparaumu will rise by $46.80 and $28.80 respectively.

A big chunk of the rail investment would be for 58 new electrical train carriages, costing about $180 million.

About $110 million would be put toward improving bus and rail interchanges and accessibility, but bus fares would not be directly affected.

Though the council’s water levy was unchanged in the recommendations, the committee foresaw a 3 per cent rise in 2007-08 and rises of up to 5 per cent in the following six years.

The region’s growing population would need a new water source within seven years, costing more than $60 million, Mr Turfrey said.

“If population growth is not as high or there are benefits from demand management that source may not be needed or could be pushed out a few years.”

The 10-year plan also includes about $50 million for flood protection in the Hutt Valley. The council will debate the recommendations on March 9, with public consultation expected to start late next month.

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THEIR VIEWS

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Commuters at Wellington Railway Station were asked what they thought of a proposed 15 per cent increase in rail fares.

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Vicki Hawkins, Linden

I don’t begrudge them that, as long as the trains are on time. They are always bloody late!

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Hayden Barker, Waterloo

The trains actually seem quite cheap, but it’s not going to hurt me directly.

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Phil Hogg, Ngaio

It won’t hurt me too much, but if you were going to work every day you’d have to think again.

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Yashodha Muthumala, Porirua

I was thinking of catching the train next (university) term, but it’s too much.

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Mary McKinlay, Carterton

I don’t think it is too much. People won’t mind too much, (train fares) haven’t gone up for years.

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Jed Brophy, Raumati South

I like the train. I don’t like bringing the car because of the cost of parking. Anything that goes up 15 per cent is going to hurt.

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