About the Free Fares campaign
Free fares is a national campaign that over 60 organisations and councils around the country have teamed up on. We make up the Aotearoa Collective for Public Transport Equity. The campaign asks the government to fund free public transport, nationwide, for Community Service Card and Total Mobility Card holders, tertiary students, and under 25’s.
Free public transport for key groups is a step towards transport and mobility equity, as well as paving the way for new transport modes that can lower our too-high transport emissions. Visit the website and find out more, like the research behind our ask, who is part of the coalition, and how you can get involved- its so easy with capacity based roles from admin to speaking out!
Free fares in Canterbury
Anglican Advocacy has worked with a great team of free fares organisers here in Ōtautahi.
With a diverse range of people from all occupations, age, and involvement, we planned events, group submissions, and other mahi to connect with community about transport issues.
Free Fares and the ECan Consult
Environment Canterbury consulted the public on the bus fares structure changes as part of their draft annual plan. They asked about a 2 year trial for three options:
- Free for Total Mobility and Community Service Card holders, students, and under 25s (this is their preferred option)
- Flat rate of $2 for everyone
- Tertiary students travel on child fare
Results
Environment Canterbury voted to implement a hybrid solution to bus fare changes. When the Annual Plan becomes reality in 2023, buses will have a flat rate of $1 across zones, for everyone. We are thrilled with this result! We wanted fares to be more affordable than $2 to provide transport equity to those really struggling with the cost of living, but we loved the equality of a flat rate. We think the comprise the council came up with is a great fit for Canterbury. The two year trial will tell us how much more we used buses, the impact this has had on our regions transport emissions, and if cheaper buses improve the lives of people who currently cannot afford to get around. Bring on $1 buses!
Why care?
Getting as many people out of cars and onto public transport is a key strategy to reduce the transport emissions of Aotearoa. The impact on climate change and congestion is enough justification in itself. But we also care because of the huge impact accessible transport can have on loneliness, isolation, poverty, and health.
We also love that this is a 2 year trial. There is huge potential in this proposal for long term culture shift and transport equity. There will also be reasons some people won’t like it. A two year trial will let us know what we can and need to change. The data we would get from this trial can inform what the rest of Aotearoa can do to live within a climate emergency.
Make the most of this opportunity, and use the bus. This is one great way for you to get involved in the future of our country. Help us show we can adapt to climate change and live sustainably- it will be good for your wallet.
The benefit of transport equity
Lowering emissions is a no-brainer. But many people have questions about providing transport equity. Why is this good for our low income groups?
Young people and students represent some of the lowest income groups in the country. We want our future generations, skilled or otherwise, to be able to participate in sustainable transport choices, and all the opportunities our country provides. This means they have to get around. Squandering the most exciting and change-filled years in isolation and transport-poverty is not a fair start. Also, including students and under 25s is about getting a whole generation into the habit of public transport, creating a cultural shift that could change NZs future.
Including total mobility and community service card holders starts to make Canterbury a fairer and more equitable transport city. Low income families can spend up to 28% of their income on transport. People miss doctors appointments, days at school, and family connection because they cannot afford to travel.
But for that benefit there is some cost. Environment Canterbury would be increasing rates up about $1.62 per week if they were to implement both option one and two. While this seems like an incredibly small rates increase compared with the thousands of dollars people in poverty can save every year, it may impact some homeowners’ ability to cope with the rising cost of living. That’s why Anglican Advocacy asked ECan to consider implementing option two alongside option one- to ensure equal access to cheaper buses. And thats why we support the comprise ECan came up with- now we can all save on gas by using the bus.
While Anglican Advocacy support our local regional council’s initiative in addressing Canterbury’s transport issues, we would much prefer that the central government funds the targeted free fares nationwide. We know the government can include this in the budget, as they have shown us with the temporary gas and bus subsidies from March till May, 2022. We think free buses is a prudent step for our whole country to have an equitable transport system that reduces emissions.
Stories from Ōtautahi
“Staying in one place is bad for depression. The doctor said I should do things. But I can’t because I don’t have money“
“We want to make the best choice for the climate, but it’s hard when it’s so expensive”
“Free bus rides would be much easier because we wouldn’t have to stress about getting to school”
“To a lot of people it really doesn’t seem like a lot of money. I think people struggle to understand how 4 bus rides a day can break some families. The food banks all see it though“
We cannot wait to experience cheap bus fares! ECan has taken this opportunity to lead the rest of our country into transport mode shift that’s better for people and planet.
Anglican advocacy made a submission guide that was spread throughout our network. Making submissions easier for people is a key way to get people involved. Our submission guide is below.
Our submission guide was spread around the UC campus, and this drummed up a bunch of student involvement.
The free fares in Canterbury team even had a submissions and pizza event. We got an estimated 40 more submissions written in this one day. The feedback we heard most was that it was actually so easy to do a submission, the online forms offered by ECan meaning it takes just minutes. We are really grateful we managed to reach such a large group. Showing young people how to get involved in local democracy kept us moving towards our goal of increasing the civic engagement of more communities in Ōtautahi.