According to a poll released by mayor candidate Efeso Collins, the majority of Auckland citizens support the idea of free public transport.
In a Talbot Mills poll of 772 Oakland citizens, 73% supported the idea, 7% disagreed, 17% were neutral, and 4% were unknown (numbers rounded to 1%). ..
Collins, in a contest to become mayor on October 8, made free public transport his main policy and endorsed a trade union-funded research paper.
Rival mayor candidate Leo Molloy has proposed a 12-month free fare travel trial that raises funds from local fuel tax reserves and eliminates taxes.
read more:
* Major reforms needed in parallel with free public travel in Auckland: Report
* What is a fair public transport fare? What about the climate in particular?
* Auckland Mayor Race: Ephesus Collins makes free public transport his big policy
The latest estimated fare by Auckland Transport was $ 382 million annually.
“This poll shows a clear public obligation to change and free public transport fares,” Collins said.
“Free public transport is a four-fold victory. It’s good for reducing living costs, reducing emissions, tackling congestion, revitalizing the economy and the city centre,” he said.
Other centre-right candidates, Viv Beck, said they wanted to invest in improving services, while other centre-right candidates were less enthusiastic.
Chris McKean / Staff
Passengers at Britomart Station in downtown Auckland. (File photo)
A report by Collins and former Oaklander Dr. Jenny McArthur, now an associate professor of urban infrastructure and policy at the University College London, said it was not a “either” choice.
MacArthur said overseas cities that introduced free public transport testing also improved the quality of service.
“As the mayor, I promise to tackle this change and improve the reach of the network and the quality of service, as part of building a fair, safe and sustainable Auckland,” Collins said. I am.
In the Talbot Mills vote, there was a margin of error of 3.5%.