From 1 July 2027, Labour will cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and at $10 everywhere else in New Zealand.
- Weekly fare cap: $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
- Weekly fare cap: $10 everywhere else in New Zealand
- In place by 1 July 2027
- Once the cap is reached, the rest of that week's trips are free
- Average saving: around $25 a week, over $1,200 a year, varying by region and how far you travel
- No new card, paperwork or sign-up required
How it works
Just use your public transport card or payment method as normal. The system will automatically track your spending over a seven-day period, and once you reach the weekly cap, you stop being charged. Every trip for the rest of the week is free.
No catches. No paperwork. No complicated rules. Just savings.
What the fare cap covers
The fare cap covers all buses and trains across the country, as well as some ferries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
It does not cover interregional or scenic trains, commercial interregional transport, or any other ferries.
How much you'll save, by region
Average weekly savings for a commuter in each region:
| Region | Average weekly saving |
|---|---|
| Auckland | $30 |
| Wellington | $25 |
| Invercargill | $25 |
| Napier | $24 |
| Palmerston North / Whanganui | $33 |
| Hamilton (inner suburbs) | $14 |
| Christchurch | $10 |
| Dunedin | $15 |
| Queenstown | $15 |
| Rotorua | $15 |
| Taranaki | $15 |
| Nelson | $12 |
| Gisborne | $11 |
Note: these are average weekly savings. Actual savings will vary by route and how often someone travels.
Why Labour is doing this
National promised to fix the cost of living. They've made it worse. Under their watch, fares have increased and they've made catching the bus or train more expensive.
Labour's $20 public transport fare cap will get you where you're going for less - putting real money back in your pocket every single week.
How is the fare cap paid for?
Labour's $20 public transport fare cap will be paid for responsibly with a small contribution from an existing fund set up to support New Zealand's transport network. It's a smart, targeted investment that delivers immediate savings, gets more people using public transport, and eases congestion.
When will it be implemented?
The cap will be in place by 1 July 2027. New Zealanders will start saving the moment it is in place.
What will Labour's fare cap cover?
The fare cap covers all buses and trains across the country, as well as some ferries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
It does not cover interregional or scenic trains, commercial interregional transport, or any other ferries.
How much will I save?
It depends on where you live - see the regional breakdown above. On average, people save around $25 a week, or over $1,200 a year.
Do I need a new card or to sign up?
No. Just use your existing public transport card or payment method as normal.
Our $20 public transport fare cap is just one of the ways life will get better with Labour.
Better jobs. Affordable healthcare. Household bills you can actually pay.
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