Update: The Fight for Fairer Fares
The struggle for Fairer Fares has been going on for years; each year the baton is passed on to the new VUWSA executive and each year we come closer to getting the campaign over the line.
This year, we are closer than ever before. This is thanks to the tireless work of students throughout the university and the support that we have received from Ngāi Tauira and the Pasifika Students’ Council.
Together, we delivered more than 1700 submissions on the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) draft 2017/18 annual plan, in support of Fairer Fares. This was an incredible success, considering less than 50 other submissions were made to the plan. So, needless to say, this issue is expected to dominate discussions. Our argument has been boosted by the more than 400 “ratepayers” who said they supported their rates going towards a discounted student fare, despite what several councillors believed.
This has sent a clear message to the GWRC, and the effects of our relentless campaigning are beginning to show. On Monday they finally acknowledged that tertiary student fares needed to be included in their plans.
This is not the end of the fight, but it is great progress and something to be celebrated. Over the coming months, especially in the lead up to oral submissions on the annual plan at the end of May, we will need to keep up the pressure and continue strengthening our voice to make sure we win this once and for all.
Finally, thanks must go out to every single one of you that has given something to this campaign so far. Whether it be chatting to your friends and whānau about the issue, writing a submission, or something else — your support is crucial and it is only together that we will continue to make leaps and bounds on this long, windy road to Fairer Fares.