Regional council increases Te Huia fares 25 per cent amid surge in passenger numbers

Waikato regional councillors have voted 12 to 2 to increase Te Huia fares by 25 per cent, meaning an adult one-way fare from Frankton to the Strand would cost $32.50 instead of $24.06 with a Bee Card. 

Following a request at the February council meeting, staff presented three fare increase options to the May meeting: no change, a 10 per cent increase, and the 25 per cent increase. 

During the debate, councillors acknowledged that fares have been held at a relatively low rate for the initial years of the trial, but voted down an amended resolution 11 to 3 that would have increased fares by 60 per cent. 

Patronage for March and April is up 52 per cent compared to last year with fewer track disruptions meaning more services and better reliability. Council noted that higher fuel prices were likely encouraging more people to leave their cars at home. 

Councillors agreed that services would remain largely the same for the final year of the trial, which ends in June 2027. 

Council Chair Warren Maher said councillors were concerned about managing fuel costs without affecting ratepayers. 

“We don’t want to ask ratepayers to pay more, so increasing passenger revenue is our only real option given that our other revenue sources for the rest of the trial are set.” 

Councillors want people to realise that patronage in the final 12 months of the trial will be an important consideration for making a permanent service. 

“If you want to see Te Huia become a permanent service, the best thing you can do is use it now.”  

The May meeting was recorded live and can be viewed here: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/council-meetings/council