# Greens pledge free public transport for election

> Green Party promises free public transport for students and low fares to tackle cost of living crisis.
- Title: Greens pledge free public transport for election · RNZ
- Summary: Green Party promises free public transport for students and low fares to tackle cost of living crisis. Green Party pledges free public transport for eligible…
- Keywords: green party, public transport, cost of living crisis, auckland, wellington, christchurch, crl, southerner, te huia, fossil fuel crisis, infrastructure commission, wealth tax
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1714650/greens-eye-free-fast-and-reliable-public-transport-with-election-promises
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-04T02:42:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: green party, public transport, cost of living crisis, auckland, wellington, christchurch, crl, southerner, te huia, fossil fuel crisis, infrastructure commission, wealth tax
## Green Party transport plan
The Green Party pledges free public transport for children, students, apprentices, Community Service Card holders and Total Mobility users while capping all fares at $2 for others.
## Transport services expansion
The plan includes mass rapid bus and light rail services in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, plus more frequent inter-regional buses and rural services.
## Night trains and rail services
The party promises overnight passenger trains from Auckland to Wellington and reinstating the Southerner between Christchurch and Dunedin.
## Swarbrick on transport benefits
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the plan would save money, reduce stress and cut emissions while improving quality of life.

> In the middle of a fossil fuel crisis, these common sense investments will save New Zealanders money, stress and time
## Cost of implementation
The entire plan would cost around $23.9 billion: $21 billion for mass rapid transit and rail, $1.3 billion for capped and free fares, and $75 million for electric buses.
## Funding concerns
Public Transport Users Association co-ordinator Jon Reeves questioned the plan's viability, noting the need for New Zealand ownership of transport services to fund it locally.

> Public Transport Users Association national co-ordinator Jon Reeves questioned the viability of the Greens' plan
## Funding solution proposed
Reeves suggested bringing transport services back to New Zealand ownership to keep profits local and reduce reliance on foreign corporations.

> Reeves said one way to reduce the cost of public transport would be to bring services back into New Zealand ownership to keep profits in the country
## Key takeaway

Green Party pledges free public transport for eligible groups and capped fares at $2 to address cost of living crisis.