Submissions

To: Waikato Regional Council
Date: November 2024

Purpose

This submission’s primary purpose is to support the proposals for a fair rating system, which mandates that all ratepayers contribute to public transport provision, regardless of whether they use public transport or not. DPA advocates for increased accessible public transport options, particularly for underserved rural areas, and to address the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by disabled people in using public transport.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA believes that fairly rating for public transport provision across the region, meaning all ratepayers contribute, is essential. This approach is expected to significantly increase accessible public transport options, especially in rural areas of the Waikato such as Te Kuiti, Thames, Taupo, and Tokoroa, where accessible services are currently minimal or non-existent.

DPA acknowledges that disabled people have historically faced numerous barriers to accessing public transport. They reference the 2022 Waka Kotahi research, "Transport experiences of disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand," which, with DPA's collaboration, highlighted ongoing challenges such as issues with the Total Mobility (TM) scheme, inaccessibility of bus services, lack of footpaths and safe crossing points, and feelings of exclusion from city planning.

Despite these challenges, DPA expresses satisfaction with the WRC's positive response to local disabled people's advocacy, citing initiatives like the "Bus It" scheme, which provides free bus travel in Hamilton City for TM card holders and their support people.

The submission reiterates DPA's support for the underlying principles of the proposed changes, which include viewing public transport as a public good that benefits everyone, ensuring fairness in cost reflection, promoting efficiency through simple administration, maintaining transparency in rate calculation, and designing a rating model that is future-fit and boundary-less to meet community needs across district lines.

DPA's members in the Waikato region are generally aware of and use bus services, provided they are accessible, and are familiar with the Total Mobility scheme.

Regarding specific rating model options, DPA favours Option 3, which proposes that rates for public transport differ based on the level of access to public transport services and the property type or use. Under this option, properties with greater access to public transport services would pay more than those with less access. Within Option 3, DPA prefers sub-option 'b', a capital-value based charge, arguing that this approach will ensure lower-income ratepayers are not required to pay the same transport rate as higher-income households, promoting greater equity.

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA favours Option 3 for the rating model, where rates for public transport will differ depending on both the level of access to public transport services and the property type/use.

Supporting Statement 1:

"This will mean that lower income ratepayers will not have to pay the same transport rate as higher income households."

Supporting Statement 2:

"We expect that this will increase options in those rural areas of the Waikato where accessible public transport systems are either minimal or non-existent."