As of 3 July, train fares on the Capital Connection rise 15%, though I
believe it is 3 years since the last increase.
Fares on the Metro trains will rise on average 15% in August and it is expected the new fare and boundary structure will be implemented on the bus sector in August.
I suspect this is going to send a portion of the commuters, who turned to public transport in the face of the fuel price hikes, back into their cars with the additional cost of the fares not warranting the sacrifice of convenience.
So less crowding on the trains and an increase in traffic congestion.
Strange this obsession with convenience. Consider the cost of motoring to work in Wellington from Kapiti:
- 100km per day for 20 days is 2000km
- Average car at an average 10km per litre is 200 litres
- $1.70 a litre equates to $340 a month in fuel alone. I will not go into running costs.
- It does not end there though. Parking in the city is at a premium and best early bird rates are $10 per day, so an additional $200 for the month.
- Minimum grand total to run your car into Wellington for convenience? $550.
Under the new fare structure my monthly bill will total $290. The trains run every 20 minutes during peak hour and we have an express service to Kapiti.
The busses are scheduled to align with train arrival and departure times, so little planning is required. The new fares will also see the introduction of new rules on the Capital Connection. Given that the service is superior, in comfort and facilities, they will no longer accept student term passes or discounted tickets.
This should reduce the overcrowding on this service, caused by the fact that it is exactly the same fare as the standard service, so the trip of choice for most from Kapiti.
I look forward to 3 July, even if it means I am being a little bit of a snob, because I will pay the extra to use the service.