News
Invercargill bus fares could rise by up to 14 percent under a proposal from the City Council aimed at reducing the service's reliance on ratepayer funding.
The proposed increases would see adult fares paid by card jump from $3.50 to $4.00, while youth, senior and Community Services Card fares would rise from $1.75 to $2.00. Cash payments would incur an additional 10 percent fee.
Invercargill City Council Group Manager Finance and Assurance Patricia Christie said the increase would reduce the amount of funding the bus service required from rates and subsidies, in line with central government direction and Council's Revenue and Financing Policy.
"We're prioritising a user-pays approach for our buses, in line with government policy, which will collect more revenue from the people who use the service rather than from general rates. The change will help cover what it actually costs Council to run public transport for the community," she said.
Children under 13 would continue to ride for free, as well as Super Gold Card holders during off-peak hours.
Invercargill City Councillor and Community and Regulatory Committee Chair Darren Ludlow acknowledged the impact of any fare increase on residents.
"We know any increase, no matter how small it looks on paper, has a real impact on people's day-to-day lives," he said.
"We have a responsibility to be honest about what it costs to run services like this. If we want buses to be there for people in the long term, we need to make sure the way we fund them is fair and financially sustainable."
The bus fare proposal is part of Council's consultation on changes to its Fees and Charges for 2026/2027, with most proposed to increase by between 5 and 15 percent.
Ludlow encouraged community feedback on the changes, with submissions open until 5pm on Friday 24 April.
"We know there's no perfect answer here, and reasonable people will see the changes differently," he said.
"It's important we hear directly from our community, especially those who use the service and those who are feeling the pressure of rising costs.
"We don't take decisions like this lightly, because we know behind every fare is a person trying to get to work, school or home."
Submissions can be made online at letstalk.icc.govt.nz or in-person at Splash Palace, the Civic Building, the Bluff Service Centre and the Invercargill Public Library.
Council is scheduled to adopt its 2026/2027 Fees and Charges schedule in June.