Transport Minister Michael Wood has confirmed further details of the transport temporary relief package.
The transport package, which involved reductions in fuel excise duty (FED), road user charges (RUC) and public transport fares, was announced on 14 March to support New Zealanders through the current global energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
From late April until late July 2022, road user charges will be cut by 36 percent across all rates. The Government set this figure because it offers equivalent savings to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents a litre.
Road user charges (RUC) temporary reduction scheme
A three-month 25 cents a litre cut in FED came into effect on 15 March 2022, reducing the price of petrol at the pump, also by 25 cents a litre.
When you submit your refund applications for fuel purchased in the 1 January–31 March 2022 quarter, you will need to submit two applications. Fuel purchases from 1 January–14 March should be in one application form, and will be refunded at the old rate. Fuel purchases from 15–31 March should be in a second application as the refund rate changes with the change in fuel tax.
From 1 April to 1 July 2022, half-price public transport fares will be in place, covering core public transport services, Te Huia and Capital Connection train services, and total mobility options for those with long-term impairments who can’t use public transport.