Christchurch East MP Reuben Davidson said Labour’s proposed cap on public transport fares would ease cost of living pressure on local families and make catching the bus cheaper across the city.

The policy, announced by Labour leader Chris Hipkins on Wednesday, would cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and $10 across the rest of the country.

Once a commuter reaches the weekly cap, every additional trip that week would be free, regardless of how many times they travel.

It would apply to buses, trains and some ferries from 1 July 2027 if Labour won this year’s election.

Labour has costed the policy at about $65 million a year, drawn from roughly one percent of the National Land Transport Fund.

Davidson said the policy spoke directly to households under financial pressure.

“Every week I talk with families struggling with the cost of living, this policy will be a game changer.

It makes public transport so much more affordable.”

Davidson campaigned to restore bus services on Hampshire Street and was instrumental in helping bring a bus service back through Aranui.

“We’ve had to battle for better bus services in suburbs like Aranui, this policy will make sure people can afford to get to work and study.”

Davidson said residents had already raised it with him.

“People have told me how grateful they are for this policy, it will make a real difference for their family who are struggling with the cost of living.”

Hipkins said the fare cap was aimed squarely at the cost of living and would put money back into the pockets of commuters, students and families.

Labour set the cap higher in the main centres because those cities run more services at greater cost.

Labour’s transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said public transport should not be a luxury some people could not afford.

The party said its costing was modelled on Auckland Transport projections, with Auckland already running a $50 weekly cap and its own modelling pointing to a six percent lift in patronage under a $20 cap.

InterCity buses, the Capital Connection, Te Huia and Mainlander trains, Waiheke ferries and cash only bus services would not be covered.