As of March 1st 2024, the government (under national control) cut bus fare subsidies for 5-19-year-olds. Due to bus managing costs, the government decided cutting subsidies would help with the country's economy. 5-12-year-olds' free weekday bus rides have been removed and must now be paid, and 13-19-year-olds half-price discounts were removed, this includes those enrolled in primary and secondary education. This policy/law targets New Zealand adolescents.

Our goal is to bring back the bus fare subsidising for 5-19 year olds , as the increased bus fares negatively impacts primary and secondary students and their ability to use public transport.

Why is this important for us? and how does this impact us an community?

We are a year 13 sos group who want to make change to the policy where students from primary and secondary education have to pay full price for public transport. The subsiding gave students half price for transport, encouraging people to be sustainable while offering equitable and accessible transport for adolescents. We believe that changing the policy back will help economically, environmentally and socially across Aotearoa