Transport & infrastructure
Net cost in this area
Four-year net. Bars share one scale. Solid adds to the deficit, light reduces it.
Weekly public transport fare cap ($20 in the main cities / $10 elsewhere)+$260mPartymedium
$260m over 4 years (NZ Herald, Coughlan). Reconciles with $195m over three years, i.e. $65m/yr, in the NZ Herald of 27 Aug 2026 (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-signals-2b-cut-to-transport-budget-to-pay-for-fuel-tax-promise/premium/LINXWXMXFVAP5AUMREGAN7A5EU/). Upgraded low -> medium. Funded by reprioritising ~1% of the NLTF, not new Crown money, so the net Crown cost may be ~0. Annual = 4-yr / 4.
SourceConnect Aotearoa transport (operating): $2 adult fare cap, free fares for under-25s/students/CSC holders, more inter-regional and rural buses+$2.40bPartymedium
Party four-year programme (Infometrics-reviewed): fares $1.2bn + bus/PT service improvements $1.2bn.
SourceRe-introduce EV uptake incentives (Clean Car Discount)+$40mPartylow
Party GB2025 $10m/yr (scheme largely fee-funded). 2026 manifesto restates the pledge but gives no 2026 costing; figure is the party's own Green Budget 2025 costing (Infometrics-reviewed), used as the best available party figure.
SourceFree public transport for everyone within 5 years+$650mOur estimatelow
Method: replace national PT fare revenue of ~$324.5m/yr (NZTA State of Public Transport, as cited by Taxpayers Union) phased in linearly over 5 years (20/40/60/80% in years 1-4). Excludes extra service costs from higher patronage.
SourceFree public transport (net)+$600mPartymedium
TOP: fares ~$300m/yr, less $80-90m and $30-40m x2 of savings, = $150m net. TU disputes at $325m/yr ($1,298m over 4 yrs) using gross NZTA fare revenue.
SourceNothing announced in this area.
Weekly public transport fare cap ($20 in the main cities / $10 elsewhere)+$260mPartymedium
$260m over 4 years (NZ Herald, Coughlan). Reconciles with $195m over three years, i.e. $65m/yr, in the NZ Herald of 27 Aug 2026 (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-signals-2b-cut-to-transport-budget-to-pay-for-fuel-tax-promise/premium/LINXWXMXFVAP5AUMREGAN7A5EU/). Upgraded low -> medium. Funded by reprioritising ~1% of the NLTF, not new Crown money, so the net Crown cost may be ~0. Annual = 4-yr / 4.
SourceConnect Aotearoa transport (operating): $2 adult fare cap, free fares for under-25s/students/CSC holders, more inter-regional and rural buses+$2.40bPartymedium
Party four-year programme (Infometrics-reviewed): fares $1.2bn + bus/PT service improvements $1.2bn.
SourceRe-introduce EV uptake incentives (Clean Car Discount)+$40mPartylow
Party GB2025 $10m/yr (scheme largely fee-funded). 2026 manifesto restates the pledge but gives no 2026 costing; figure is the party's own Green Budget 2025 costing (Infometrics-reviewed), used as the best available party figure.
SourceNothing announced in this area.
Nothing announced in this area.
Free public transport for everyone within 5 years+$650mOur estimatelow
Method: replace national PT fare revenue of ~$324.5m/yr (NZTA State of Public Transport, as cited by Taxpayers Union) phased in linearly over 5 years (20/40/60/80% in years 1-4). Excludes extra service costs from higher patronage.
SourceFree public transport (net)+$600mPartymedium
TOP: fares ~$300m/yr, less $80-90m and $30-40m x2 of savings, = $150m net. TU disputes at $325m/yr ($1,298m over 4 yrs) using gross NZTA fare revenue.
SourceTags: Capital one-off spending that adds to debt rather than the annual deficit; Aspirational stated as a goal without a firm commitment; In current plans partly funded in Treasury's PREFU 2026 forecasts already. Change the filters above to include or exclude these.