Source: Workers First Union
Workers First Union is supporting the call from the Green Party and others to immediately implement a free public transport fares system in response to rising fuel costs and continuing abuse and violence against bus drivers.
Anita Rosentreter, Workers First Deputy Secretary, said free public transport was a long-held goal of the bus drivers’ union but should be prioritised immediately in light of rising fuel prices due to the US/Israeli attacks on Iran. The union is also calling for a substantial increase to the minimum wage in 2027, and for more employers to back workers with living wage pay increases in the meantime.
“With high petrol costs stretching paycheques, now is the time to back a plan for free public transport and better wages,” said Ms Rosentreter.
“People need to get to work without spending a growing portion of their incomes on their cars, and that means both free public transport and ensuring workers are paid enough to actually live.”
“The Government needs to lift the minimum wage significantly to meet these rising costs after offering workers an effective wage cut in 2026, and private employers need to step up on living wages.”
“We also need to conserve fuel as a country – it’s an absolute no-brainer that we should do everything possible to encourage the use of public transport.”
“We’re already hitting a seven-year high for Auckland public transport use, and the Government should commit to free fares as a priority.”
“Not only would it reduce petrol use and increase public transport ridership, but it would significantly contribute to the reduction in assaults and abuse of bus drivers, which continues every day.”
“We know that fare payment and collection is a big contributor to attacks on bus drivers, and drivers are being sent mixed messages about whether to pursue non-payers for their fares.”
“Free fares are the solution to both problems right here and now, but also for the future in promoting public transport use and decarbonising our cities.”
She said the Government’s current ‘support package’ for families, announced yesterday, would not offer meaningful relief or peace of mind to the vast majority of New Zealand workers.
“It’s a drop in the bucket for working families, and it disadvantages welfare recipients who are actively out and looking for work in an austerity economy that this Government engineered,” said Ms Rosentreter.
“We need real solutions, not band-aids – we can deal with the here-and-now while positioning ourselves well for a better future. They are not mutually exclusive.”
