Christchurch NZ, mayoral candidate promises fare-free buses

Minto makes bold pledges on buses, council salaries: "Christchurch mayoral candidate John Minto is insistent his policy for free public buses won't lead to a rates increase.

The veteran activist launched his official campaign over the weekend, and claims despite his policies being bold, he could save residents money.

He pledged to build thousands of new affordable houses, introduce free public transport, and offer a living wage to all council staff.

He said free public transport will only initially cost $20 million, but will save both ratepayers and tax payers money."

#Publictransit forum plans new free shuttle

Watertown, MA: "At the most recent transportation forum, local officials and residents gathered to talk through ways to improve the current system, while adding new options, including a local bus shuttle."

Christchurch transport woes: Free public buses or one more kilometre of new roads

Stuff.co.nz: "The cost of free public transport would be about $20 million per year which is the amount currently collected in fares. It would require capital investment to increase the number of buses over the next five years as residents move to public transport.

This is less than the cost of a single kilometre of proposed new roading.

The government wants to prioritise a massive motorway to carve through the north of the city at enormous cost to all of us. In reality such huge roading projects are a subsidy for trucking companies. A single eight-tonne axle (big trucks may have several of these each) does the equivalent damage of 10,000 cars over the same road."

SuperGold free travel keeps seniors off the road

Wairarapa Times: ""We have something like 29,000 Baby Boomers coming on board a year. Every one of them, having paid taxes all their lives, fully expects to get their SuperGold card entitlements. Putting a cap on funding for transport is the National Government interfering with a privilege that senior citizens were given in recognition of having paid taxes all their lives, and the valuable contribution they have made to the community.

"We can't let them get away with it. We need people to stand up. They need to go and knock on Alastair Scott's door for a start, give him a bit of a tongue-lashing, and tell him that this is unacceptable."

The SuperGold Card scheme was an initiative of New Zealand First and was adopted during the term of a coalition government 2007.

In the 2014/15 financial year, 27,225 trips were made on the Wairarapa Rail Line by SuperGold card holders."

Gridlocked Aucklanders spend 20 extra working days a year stuck in traffic

TVNZ : "If Auckland motorists needed evidence traffic congestion has got worse, a study shows they can now expect to spend an extra 20 working days a year stuck in traffic at peak times."

Wellington students 'desperate' over public transport costs, call for discounted fares

Stuff.co.nz: "Wellington tertiary students are demanding discounted public transport and say the city is being left behind the rest of the country.

It comes as students warn of an "increasing sense of desperation" over public transport costs.

An online petition calling for the changes, set up late last week by Victoria University student Byron Oosthuizen, had reached 2800 signatures by Tuesday."



'via Blog this'

Free buses in Avesta, Sweden

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By Pavlina Dravecka / Eltis - the Urban Mobility Observatory, 22 Jul 2015

In 2012 Avesta, a Swedish municipality pictured above, introduced fare-free public transport on its buses. The purpose was to increase, and make it easier to, travel by public transport.

As a result travels by public transport have increased by 80 per cent and car emissions were reduced by 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

In addition, several other positive side effects were noted as a result of the trial. Avesta municipality decided that public transport by bus should continue to be fare free into the future.

Avesta municipality invites delegates to participate in a two-day international conference on Fare Free Public Transport to share experiences and take part of studies on FFPT from three perspectives; population growth, sustainability and equality.

Thursday 17 September and Friday 18 September 2015

Avesta, Sweden

Contact: Sussanna Kippo

- See more at: http://www.eltis.org/participate/events/fare-free-public-transport-growth-factor#sthash.N4V3UUol.dpuf