'Do they go without food?': Fury over SuperGold peak bus travel axing

Senior citizen advocates are calling a proposal to remove free peak bus travel for SuperGold card members an "attack" that will erode older residents' quality of life.

The proposal went to community consultation on September 3 as part of the Waikato Regional Council's fare policy overview.

If passed, there would be no more free travel from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, a privilege currently exclusive to Waikato residents.

The scheme costs ratepayers $155,000 per annum, as free transport during off-peak hours, weekends and holidays is funded by central Government as part of a nation-wide scheme.

Sixty per cent of the 667 named and unnamed submissions opposed the change.

Te Awamutu Grey Power chairperson Michael Cullen said the outfit views the move as "an attack on the most vulnerable people in the Waikato community", adding senior citizens make up 34% of Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Ōhaupō and Pirongia.

"If a SuperGold card holder has to access Waikato Hospital, say three times a week for treatment and now has to pay both ways and their income is NZ Super only, what do you think is going to happen?" Cullen said.

"Do they go without food, do they turn off the hot water to save power, don't go to the doctors when they should because they can't afford the cost, don't meet with friends for a coffee or cancel their club subscription, all leading to isolation and compounding further health issues."

Cullen's Hamilton counterpart Rudi du Plooy echoed the sentiment, having already criticised the proposal.

Now, du Plooy says the scheme allows a mother to go to her cardiology appointment or a father to leave the house for the first time in a week.

"In 2022, this council chose to lead. It removed the travel-time restrictions so that older Waikato residents could stay connected to family, friends and health care," du Plooy said.

"At the time, councillors called the change a 'game changer' for the region's ageing communities. Nothing about those needs has gone away."

Free transport to reach important medical appointments was a recurring theme in submissions.

Pat Frelan asked council if she's supposed to "give up" her early morning hospital appointments, while Te Whatu Ora Waikato healthcare assistant Jomol George agreed the change would have a significant impact.

Frelan added the move will make "the pensioners prisoners in their own house".

Local Democracy Reporting previously reported a Waikato Hospital worker saying the scheme was "a lifeline" for many travelling at peak times due to the severe lack of parking.

"Our patients mostly fall into the SuperGold Card demographic and we advise them not to drive themselves to appointments," the worker said.

"This seems a very poorly thought out proposal. Maybe we could curtail the councillors' overseas trips and meal allowances and retain the vital lifeline that is also environmentally friendly?"

SuperGold fare changes aren't the only alterations council is deliberating, with a 20% discount for 5-18 year-olds on all bus services also on the cards.

The cohort would also join the current 5-15 age bracket to receive half price tickets for the Te Huia rail service, as well as council retaining the current Hamilton bus zone fare structure.

Council will make a final decision on the policies in January 2027.