Articles tagged with Ministry Of Transport

Government to Adjust Total Mobility Scheme Subsidies to Ensure Long-Term Viability

3 weeks ago | 164 views

The New Zealand Government will reduce the Total Mobility fare subsidy from 75% to 65% starting July 2026 and work with public transport authorities to lower fare caps by about 10%, aiming to ensure the scheme’s financial sustainability amid rising costs and demand. To support public transport authorities facing funding shortfalls, the Government will allocate $10 million and recycle savings to reduce regional shortfalls over 2025-2030, while also consulting on improving access and targeting of the scheme. These changes seek to maintain consistent, fair, and sustainable support for disabled and older New Zealanders who rely on subsidised taxi fares when they cannot use public transport independently.

Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Total Mobility NZ Transport Agency Ministry of Transport New Zealand Government public transport disability support fare subsidy transport authorities

Government Cancels Cook Strait Emergency Ocean Response Vessel Procurement Due to High Costs

1 month ago | 177 views

The Government has decided against procuring dedicated emergency ocean response capabilities (EORC) for the Cook Strait due to significant cost escalations—from $80 million to over $259 million over 10 years—and limited benefits, as existing vessels have resolved past incidents effectively. New Cook Strait ferries with enhanced safety features will reduce the need for external assistance, and the temporary contract for the MMA Vision tugboat will end in February 2026, saving $9 million. Overall, the Government concludes that the investment in dedicated towing capabilities is not cost-effective and cannot justify passing costs onto taxpayers or users through levies.

Tags: Chris Bishop Cook Strait Maritime NZ MMA Vision Golden Mind Ministry of Transport Budget 2024 Cabinet Emergency Ocean Response Capability Transport Minister

New Zealand Launches Electronic Road User Charges System to Modernize Payments

1 month ago | 233 views

The New Zealand Government is progressing towards modernizing road user charges (RUC) for its 3.6 million light petrol vehicles by launching a Request for Information (RFI) to explore electronic payment options. This initiative aims to replace the outdated manual system with technology-driven solutions that ensure ease of payment, data privacy, and compliance with legal safeguards, while allowing users to opt for either automated or manual methods. The reform, supported by the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill, seeks to involve diverse businesses and future-proof transport funding as vehicle fleets evolve.

Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Road User Charges Ministry of Transport Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill RUC electronic payment transport funding RFI Government Electronic Tenders Service