A recent study from the University of Otago highlights the positive impact of lower-cost public transport, especially for individuals with lower incomes who struggle with transportation challenges.

Surveying public housing residents in ?tautahi Christchurch, the research discovered that nearly half of the respondents could afford more trips thanks to a government initiative offering public transport at half the regular price. Additionally, over one-third of participants could allocate funds to essential needs like food.

Reducing financial strain

The study concludes that reduced-cost public transport contributes to increased accessibility and alleviates financial strain for those facing transportation difficulties.

“We know that public housing residents, including those in our study, experience transport difficulties related to affordability and accessibility, with Statistics New Zealand figures showing the lowest income households spend more than a quarter of their incomes on transport,” the researchers explain.

“Our findings show that for many who live in public housing, access to reduced fares on public transport reduces their financial stress, gives them the ability to get to places they need, removes anxiety, and improves their well-being and social contact.”

Urban mobility

The study examined data from a 2022 transport survey focusing on people’s experiences with half-price public transport fares in ?tautahi Christchurch during a Transport New Zealand Waka Kotahi “transport relief package,” aimed at supporting New Zealanders amid the global energy crisis.

Running from April 2022 to June 2023, the initiative slashed adult single fare zones in Christchurch to NZ$1.30 with a MetroCard or NZ$2.10 in cash. The study surveyed 372 public housing tenants and older individuals in Christchurch from October to November 2022. It also conducted in-depth interviews with 25 public housing residents, exploring their awareness, usage, and the impact of half-price bus fares.

The findings revealed that 45% of public housing respondents were able to take trips they wouldn’t have managed otherwise, compared to 16% of other participants. Moreover, 36% of public housing respondents could allocate money to necessities like food due to the fare reductions, compared to 8% of others. Additionally, a quarter mentioned they wouldn’t have taken their most recent trip if they had to pay the full fare.

Multiple benefits

“As well as the obvious financial benefits, respondents told us that half-price fares allowed them to travel greater distances, explore more of the city and spend more time out and about without having to try and get home within a two-hour-free transfer period or during concessionary fare time periods,” the researchers explain.

“Mental health benefits were reported too, with participants stating they were able to see friends and family more often, with one saying they were able to make new friends on the bus, while another said he’d been able to take up a voluntary role he’d previously been unable to afford to get to.”

For some, traveling by bus also removed anxieties about driving, being stuck in traffic, or being unable to find parking.

For respondents who said they did not make use of half-price fares, some cited a lack of appropriate mental health support on buses, while others expressed concern that they’d start to rely on them, only for fares to increase again once the initiative ended.