EMBARGOED UNTIL 5pm 17 May 2016

Justin Lester and Daran Ponter to freeze public transport fares

Wellington mayoral candidate Justin Lester and Regional Councillor Daran Ponter have announced their plan today to freeze public transport fares at current levels and introduce cheaper fares for tertiary students if elected in the upcoming local body elections.

The plan to get Wellington moving by increasing public transport patronage and reducing costs includes:
1. A three year trial to cap all public transport fares at current levels
2. Introduce concession fares for students, cutting the cost of a cross town trip by $3.80
3. Introduce free transfers between buses for connecting journeys

“It’s time to get Wellington moving. We can start to fix our traffic gridlock by helping more Wellingtonians onto public transport by making it more affordable,” said mayoral candidate Justin Lester.

“Fixing public transport will be a key priority for me as mayor.

“We’re at a standstill. Not enough has happened in recent years to encourage people on to public transport and help free up our roads. I intend to get Wellington moving again with this plan that incentivises greater use of buses and trains, complementing existing investment in the state highway network.

“Wellingtonians are paying too much for public transport. I want to oversee a major increase in public transport patronage by making catching the bus and train cheaper.

“Wellington currently has the highest fare-box recovery of any large city in New Zealand, which means we’re charging public transport users more than is necessary. That’s wrong and I want to change it.

“Concession fares for students will make it more affordable for students to live and study in Wellington. It's also about recognising and boosting the contribution the education sector makes to the city and local economy.

“For example, the student concession policy would see a student knock $3.80 off a return cross town trip each day (three zones using Snapper or Mana Card). They could save more than $900 a year,” said Lester. The student concession fares would apply to all journeys undertaken by students.

Daran Ponter says that he will be leading the charge for a three year freeze on bus and train fares. It will result in people saving money. With the high cost of petrol and parking, this fare freeze is the right thing to do”.

“Free transfers between buses are long overdue. The technology exists now for the Greater Wellington Regional Council to provide for free transfers,” said Regional Council candidate Daran Ponter

“There is no reason why Wellington commuters should be paying twice just because they need to change buses to complete their journey. If you live in Christchurch you’ve been able to transfer buses for free for many years. It's just common sense and we can make it happen now,” said Ponter.

“I've run my own business in Wellington for 10 years and I know how much of a difference good transport systems can make to our economy. I also studied in Germany and saw first-hand what a great public transport system can look like” said Justin Lester.

“People love Wellington because it’s a small, compact city. We need to build on that advantage with a truly world class public transport system that reduces traffic and helps people get around.

“We don't want to be another Auckland – with congested roads squeezing our city's productivity and economy. This plan can help to avoid Auckland style gridlock and get Wellington moving.”

Justin Lester Bio:

• Current Deputy Mayor

• Owner of Kapai, with stores in Wellington and Auckland.

• Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (German) Otago University, Master of Laws,

Heidelberg University

• Worked at Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law

• Worked as Director of Property and Asset Management at Jones Lang LaSalle and

Associate Director at CB Richard Ellis

• Board Member of Wellington SPCA, Bishop’s Community Development Trustpreviously Capital Football

Daran Ponter Bio:

• Current Greater Wellington Regional Councillor

• Public Policy Consultant: Central and Local Government

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons Sociology and Human Geography, Massey University; Master of Public Policy, Victoria University

• Married with Two teenagers

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