Accessibility and Affordability Impacts of Half Price Public Transport Fares in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Transport costs can constitute a large proportion of household budgets and restrict travel. Reduced or free public transport fares are one strategy to address these affordability and accessibility challenges. We analyse data from a 2022 transport survey to investigate participants perspectives and experiences of half price public transport fares in Ōtautahi Christchurch, a city in Aotearoa New Zealand. We find that those experiencing transport poverty are likely to have benefitted in terms of widening access and reduced financial stress.