Public transport in New Zealand

Bus in Wellington, the region in New Zealand with the greatest public transport use.

Urban bus transport is the main form of public transport in New Zealand. Two of the country's largest cities, Auckland and Wellington, also have suburban rail systems, while some cities also operate local ferry services. There are no rapid transit metros and no remaining tram (i.e., light rail) systems active anywhere in New Zealand (except for some museum systems and a tourist-oriented service at Wynyard Quarter in Auckland and in Christchurch), though trams (and their horse-drawn predecessors) once had a major role in New Zealand's public transport.

Intercity public transport in New Zealand is very limited. Almost all intercity bus services are operated for-profit by a single private company, InterCity. InterCity operates only major national routes, and few connecting and regional routes. Intercity rail in New Zealand is entirely lines dedicated to tourists, and a single commuter only line between Auckland and Hamilton.[1][2]

New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of public transport use in the world, even lower than the United States in 2001, and 90% of urban trips being by private cars as of 2018.[3][4] Public transport usage began falling in New Zealand around 1960, coinciding with a period when private cars became more affordable to Kiwis, and adoption of them rapidly increased. Public transport usage continued falling throughout the decades afterwards, and the usage drop was compounded with less attractive services due to greater congestion in city centres as a result of private cars, higher fares, and aging vehicle fleets. Higher operations and maintenance costs from increased petrol prices also put operators at a loss financially.[5]

Poor usage led to an assumption being made by government planners that the disuse of public transport came from Kiwis disliking it, rather than coming from poor service, leading to a cycle of underinvestment and neglect.[6] This is all despite increasing population densities in the areas where public transport previously commanded ridership. A contributing factor has been a disorgansied and fragmented governance structure around public transport, leading to indecision and a lack of a uniform national and regional strategy.[5][3]

Additionally, public transport use has become stigmatised as a form of welfare for people who cannot afford a private vehicle, leading decision makers to be passive around public transport improvements.[5]

Since 2000 though, there has been increased interest in public transport, due to road congestion and environmental concerns.[4] With this greater interest, public transport services have begun to be expanded and improved,[7] and in some regions, like Auckland and Otago, patronage has been steadily increasing.[8]

  1. ^ O'Callahan, Heidi (27 June 2019). "A History of Regional and Long-Distance Buses in New Zealand". Greater Auckland. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  2. ^ Bromby, Robin (2003). Rails that built a Nation: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Railways. Wellington: Grantham House. ISBN 1-86934-080-9.
  3. ^ a b Humphris, Adrian (11 March 2010). "Passenger trends".
  4. ^ a b "Public Transport 2045" (PDF). Ministry of Transport.
  5. ^ a b c Dravitzki, Vince; Lester, Tiffany (2006). "The Rise and Decline of Public Transport in New Zealand and Some Lessons for its Recovery" (PDF).
  6. ^ Brett, André (2021). Can't Get There from Here. 533 Castle Street, Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-99-004809-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. ^ "DART - KiwiRail". 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Performance of Public Transport". NZ Transport Agency. 6 September 2023.