Warren Maher: Waikato Regional Council Chair on Te Huia fares being increased by 25% amid a surge in passengers

Te Huia train fares are rising 25% as passenger numbers surge.  Waikato Regional Council's voted to lift the $24.06 one-way fare for the trip between Hamilton and Auckland to $32.50.  Patronage in recent months rose 52% on last year, with fewer track disruptions and more reliability.  But Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher told Heather du Plessis-Allan that’s not why they’re putting the price up.  He says the government is currently supporting it by 60%, but if it becomes a permanent service that will drop to 51% and as a user-pays service, it needs to reflect the cost users are actually paying for it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.