Auckland Bus fares up again
Posted by Hamish on December 19th, 2006
Auckland Regional Transport Authority has just announced that bus fares will rise again in the New Year. I comment elsewhere that these rises may be counter-productive. They also show what happens when bus companies do not compete in the market. In New Zealand, most of the competition is for the market - not in the market. What this means is that companies compete for the right to run services. There is almost no competition for passengers once services are running. This means that there is little incentive to reduce prices for passengers. Price rises ahead of inflation several years running do not indicate healthy competition!
January 28th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I’m a bit late in replying but I’m a “passenger” on public transport because I don’t own a car! I’m not young however I’m not entitled to the Pensioners card. I gave up my car in mid 2004 or thereabouts……..
And I’m fairly disappointed with the increased costs that just keep on happening.
I used to travel with Urban Express mostly the 009 and found that the drivers were extremely friendly, that they went out of their way for me at times. I had a monthly pass with them…..
I’m now having to use Stagecoach because my needs have changed, I don’t like the Stagecoach system at all. Their maintenance of the buses is dreadful - some seats need urgent attention as do the buses themselves. Some of the drivers are right mean!
I’m about to use your NakedBus company on a trip out of town so that will be adventure in itself.
Although I’m near a train station, I don’t care to stand during rush hour and it’s not convenient to my new destination at the other end.
cds