Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is announcing a proposal today that children under 15 travel on public transport free of charge on weekends and public holidays.
The proposal aims to encourage more families and young people to use public transport, helping to reduce traffic congestion.
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Implementing free travel for under 15s is expected to increase public transport usage by nearly one million additional trips annually.
There is also a proposal to integrate ferries fully into the public transport system. This move would see fixed price ticket charges applied for travel within specific zones, regardless of the mode of transport taken.
Full ferry integration is estimated to benefit more than a quarter of ferry passengers using HOP cards with lower prices. Trips are expected to increase by 180,000 per year.
The Mayor intends that the proposal be included in the yearly budget currently going through council. If approved, the proposal is expected to be implemented this year.
The Mayor is set to present his suggestion at the Auckland Council offices on Albert Street at 3pm this afternoon.
Newshub.