9. Question No. 9—TransportSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: How is the Government supporting the provision of public transport services across Aotearoa New Zealand? Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): As a Government we have a strong sense of the public good through the provision of goods and services to New Zealanders and in transport one of the ways we do that is through the subsidisation of the operation of public transport networks and services to improve the level of service and encourage the uptake of public transport. This helps reduce congestion makes our cities work better and reduces emissions. We've thought long and hard about the role that the Government has to play and we're putting that thought into action through support for public transport services as well as important investments in rapid transit in Auckland and Wellington the Eastern Busway and into regional rail among many other projects—just like many other countries are—as we face down the climate challenge. Shanan Halbert: What are some examples of how the Government subsidises public transport? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The main support that the Government provides for public transport services—[Interruption]—and it's important for all members to be aware—is through farebox assistance where the Crown subsidises approximately 30 percent of the cost of a fare with local transport authorities covering approximately an additional 30 percent. If public transport had to stand on its own two feet these subsidies would be removed seeing users pay the full cost of public transport which would generally be over double the current cost of fares. The SuperGold card is also an important public transport subsidy which if removed would result in seniors and veterans having to pay for off-peak and weekend travel. Shanan Halbert: How do public transport subsidies encourage mode shifts? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: When the Government provides support for public transport services commuters can have confidence in the frequency and reliability of public transport giving them more options for getting from A to B. The Government backs cities and towns around New Zealand to have better-quality public transport more in line with what we see in other countries and in doing so provide more opportunities for mode shift by giving people real transport choices. This helps to reduce our transport emissions. I'm encouraged to hear that members around the House want to see our emissions reduce and supporting public transport is a very important part of that. Simon Court: Does the Minister think that the taxpayer is getting value for money for the $282 subsidy for each Te Huia train passenger when InterCity buses run 11 services a day with Wi-Fi between Hamilton and Auckland for only $20 per passenger and is that value for money?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Firstly I would question some of the figures that the member uses. He might have got them from Paul Goldsmith's spreadsheet I think. Secondly I would note that actually some of those inter-regional bus services that Mr Court refers to have in fact received Government support through the Essential Transport Connectivity scheme over the past three years. Thirdly I would note that it is exactly the wrong time for members opposite to propose that we get rid of public transport services as we face down a climate emergency. I know it is deeply ingrained in the politics of the right wing of New Zealand to be vehemently opposed to any investment in rail walking and cycling but as we try and reduce emissions in our country we have to start walking the walk. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order! Mr Bishop inter alia please turn your volumes down. Finish your answer please. Hon MICHAEL WOOD: In finishing my comment what I would say is that across most parties in this House we voted for the zero carbon Act the other year in this Parliament. At some point we have to have policies and investments that follow through on that and reduce emissions in our transport sector. You can't vote for that and then oppose everything we do in transport to reduce emissions. Shanan Halbert: How does public transport fit within the developments of our plan to accelerate the transition to net zero? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Next month will see the release of the Government's Emissions Reduction Plan which will outline how we intend to meet the emissions reduction budgets set out in the zero carbon Act which had broad support across the House. Public transport services are critical for enabling the levels of mode shift and will play a key role in helping us meet those targets. That was a key recommendation from the independent Climate Change Commission. I look forward to the support of all members who supported that process in delivering better services to reduce transport emissions.