Fares for passengers aged 24 and under will return to standard pricing from Wednesday 1 May, following the rollback of the former government’s age-based concessions.
Metlink reminds passengers, especially parents and guardians, to make sure their children’s Snapper cards are ‘topped up’ before travelling.
Fare changes are coming soon for passengers aged 24 and under, following the government’s decision to withdraw funding for age-based concessions.
From 1 May 2024, following the rollback of the former government’s age-based concessions on Metlink services:
children aged 5 to 16, or older if still at secondary school, will pay half the adult fare,
fares for people aged 17 to 24 will return to full price, unless they qualify for an alternative tertiary or Community Connect concession,
under 5s will continue to travel for free on all services.
Greater Wellington Transport committee chair Thomas Nash says the change will be felt by young people and whānau across the region, who are already struggling with the high cost of living.
“I don’t want to end these concessions – we know they have made a big difference to people,” Cr Nash says.
Greater Wellington Regional Council welcomed news today that free fares for under 13-year-olds and half-price fares for anyone 25 and under, will be funded as part of the Government’s Budget 2023 announcements.
Metlink has welcomed the Government’s extension of half price public transport fares until the end of June 2023.
The extension, announced today by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, is part of the Government’s ongoing support intended to ease the cost-of-living pressures.
Metlink Commercial, Strategy & Investments Manager Tim Shackleton said the half price fares extension would enable passengers to ready themselves for the eventual go live date for the Community Connect scheme which permanently reduces public transport fares for Community Services Card (CSC) holders by 50 percent.
“With around 90,000 CSC holders in the Wellington region, Metlink has worked with the Ministry of Social Development to develop a system that provides quick and easy access to half price fares when the scheme rolls out,” says Tim Shackleton.
Metlink has welcomed the Government’s extension of half price public transport fares until the end of March 2023.
The extension, announced by Transport Minister Michael Wood today, is part of the Government’s ongoing investments in public transport and mode-shift and the transition to its Community Connect scheme.
November 2022 will be the final month of paper Rail Monthly passes.
The 30-day Rail pass replaces these passes and is available to load onto your Snapper card from 7 November, for use on the Kāpiti Line from 12 November and the rest of the network from 27 November.
The pass is activated on its first use and includes your bus trip to or from your local station when travelling to Wellington Station from zones 4-14.
You can load your Snapper card with a 30-day Rail pass from 7 November.
Monthly and MonthlyPlus passes will be replaced by the 30-day Rail pass. If you’re travelling to or from Wellington Station, the Snapper 30-day Rail pass will include your bus trip to or from your local train station between zones 4-14 only.
Tag on and off for every journey to avoid a default fare. And remember, your Snapper payment may be checked on board the train.
Off-peak fares on Metlink public transport services will be reduced and children will ride for free on weekends and public holidays, as part of a package of concessions agreed today by Greater Wellington.
Fares are currently discounted by 25 percent to encourage off peak travel, but the regional council today agreed to increase the discount to 50 percent, which will also apply to concession holders.
Greater Wellington Transport Committee Chair Roger Blakeley said he was pleased the council had adopted the recommendations of the Future Fares Subcommittee.
ollowing a Greater Wellington Regional Council meeting today, Metlink has been given the go ahead to implement the Government’s Community Connect Scheme which will see discounted fares for Community Services Card (CSC) holders in place from 1 September.
The Community Connect Scheme was announced by the Government during the Budget in May.
Councillor Roger Blakeley, chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport Committee and a strong supporter of the Community Connect Scheme at the Council meeting, said it was fantastic to see the Government actively support community members most in need across the region.
Metlink announced today that it will be trialing a range of new fares in March next year, including free or heavily discounted fares on weekends.
Details of the trial are yet to be fully developed but could include a range of discounted, bundled and even free fares on the region’s bus and train services.
Scott Gallacher, General Manager for Metlink, says the trial will help provide valuable demand insight to help plan for growth and service design changes in the future as well as pave the way for new fare products as part of the introduction of integrated ticketing system.
Metlink has announced that full fares will return across the region on July 1 now that New Zealand has moved to alert level 1 and physical distancing restrictions have been lifted.
Metlink released the findings of its post implementation review into fares in a report to Council today which showed changes to fares and ticketing performed well against expectations and contributing to a range of cost saving benefits for passengers across the region.
Kia ora St John’s whānau, I hope you’re keeping warm, as we feel the brink of snow! This Sunday we unpack the next two priorities of our Vision Refresh: Priority 5 – Discipleship: A Distinctive Community that Integrates Newcomers into Meaningful Pathways of Growth Priority 6 – Tradition and Innovation: Authenticity over Trend Our St J’s Kids and youth will start at 10am in the St John’s Centre in their peer groups. And then they will come across to the church so we can all celebrate the meal of Communion together. After the service we will all share morning tea and coffee in the St John’s Centre. And we have our final Souper Sunday of the winter season (see details below). If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here is the link to access the live-stream: Link to Zoom Service If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet: Printable Service Sheet OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... SOUPER SUNDAY Souper Sunday is this Sunday (9th August). This will be the last Souper Sunday for the Winter. Please join us after morning tea for delicious hot soup. No charge but we would appreciate something small to have with our tea/coffee after soup. Thank you for your contribution. CREATION CARE Come and join in this tree planting with a team from Church on the afternoon of Sunday 9th August. Tawatawa Reserve in Owhiro Bay Meet at the Tawatawa sign board and map, just up the hill from the car park on Murchison Street. Please dress warmly, bring strong footwear that can get muddy, and gardening gloves if you have them. If rained off we will postpone to the 16th of August. PRESBYTERY GATHERING Twice a year, Presbytery Central holds their Gathering. We’re looking forward to gathering again as Presbytery Central on 15th August 2026, this time exploring what it means to be Presbyterian in today’s world. Centred on the theme Cooperation – working together, this Gathering will celebrate our shared identity, tell stories of collaboration from around the Presbytery, and consider how we can faithfully serve God’s mission together in Central New Zealand. We are honoured to welcome Right Rev Peter Dunn, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, as our keynote speaker. Peter will reflect on the strengths of our Presbyterian tradition and the opportunities before us as we seek to be churches that are connected, discerning, and hopeful. Throughout the day we’ll hear inspiring stories of cooperation between congregations, ministries, and communities, before concluding with a panel conversation featuring Peter, Rev Erin Pendreigh, and Rev Allister Lane, exploring what it means to be Presbyterian today and where God may be leading us next. Join us at St Alban’s, Palmerston North, from 10:30am on Saturday 15 August 2026, for a day of worship, encouragement, conversation, and vision as we reflect on Our Story. Our Calling. Our Future. Whether you’ve been part of the Presbyterian Church for decades or are newer to our community, this Gathering is an opportunity to reconnect, learn from one another, and be inspired for the journey ahead. Details and Registration SCOTS FOUNDERS SERVICE On Sunday 23rd August, 4pm we host the annual Founders Service with all our friends from the Scots College community. You are welcome to come and be part of this worship, as we celebrate the vision of those who started the Church Schools and for the enduring legacy of Christian influence in our city. RECITAL: ROSE LIGHT & GABRIEL BAIRD Monday, 24 August at 7:30pm at St Michael’s Anglican Church in Kelburn for a spectacular evening of chamber music. Rose studied violin in Wellington at the NZ School of Music prior to moving to Austria, returns for this recital alongside pianist Gabriel Baird. Time: Doors open at 7:00pm | Concert begins at 7:30pm Tickets: $35 Adult / $25 CSC & Under 24 (Cash sales may be available at the door) https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/rose-light-gabriel-baird-recital-wellington/wellington St Johns Church Camp is back! (Only happens every second year!) Join us 18–20 Sept at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki for two nights of faith, fun, connection, and relaxation. Expect: worship, Bible reflections, great chats, games, fully catered meals, awesome company, and unforgettable moments (including Dave Wood’s legendary bonfire). Take a break from the busyness of life, grow deeper in your faith, and connect with your church whānau. Don’t miss it! You can now register HERE Church Camp OFFICE HOURS St John’s Office is closed on Mondays. All functions of the office will be available the other working days of the week. Check out more of what’s happening at St John’s on the website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/upcoming-events The St John’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-In-The-City-Wellington-197057586974092/ The Facebook group created as a safe space just for our St J’s Whānau: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18qCo6CmJP/?mibextid=wwXIfr Mā te wā Allister
Above: Thumbs up to Ma’a Nonu, who will wear the #23 jersey for the Sharks against the All Blacks on Wednesday at 5.00am at Durban. Monday morning edition (updates expected): It’s school finals week in Wellington, with the schoolgirls finals at Porirua Park on Wednesday evening, Premier 2 and lower grade boys college finals at...
Wellington College were pushed hard by Rathkeale College in their Premiership First XV final today. They will meet St Pat’s Silverstream in next week’s final. More below. Photo: Andy McArthur. By Steven White, Scott MacLean & Adam Julian Wellington College and St Pat’s Silverstream will meet in next weekend’s Premiership final at Porirua Park following...
Imperial Service Order, Fellow Royal Geographic Society Our Great Grandfather James Stewart Mackenzie was born on March 10th 1849 in Edinburgh to David Stewart and Rebecca (nee Noble) Mackenzie. James...
