Greens propose 20% rates hike

The Dom Post reports:

Cheaper bus fares and a free service on Saturdays have been proposed for Wellington, but the ideas could hit ratepayers in the pocket to the tune of $20 million.

The Green Party wants to see a three-month trial of “zero-fare Saturday”, as part of a five-point plan to reduce bus fares across the Wellington region.

Why just on Saturdays? Let’s just wave a wand and have free fares every day of the week. Even better, let’s pay people to use the bus!

But bus users were keen on the idea, when asked yesterday.

In stunning news, people who use a service like the idea of other people paying for it on their behalf.

Paul Swain, the regional council’s transport portfolio leader, said some of the Greens’ proposals were already being considered by council staff as part of the long-term plan process.

But the entire package could cost up to $20m, which would be roughly a 20 per cent rates hike, he said. “In my view, that’s unaffordable and the ratepayers would react very negatively.”

So remember that next local body elections – the Greens want a 20%rates hike.

I suspect it would be far more than that. History tells us that you make something “free” and the costs rise almost exponentially.