The Wairarapa train is the only option if you want to take a bike during peak time, and traveling from UH to LH there are no problems. Last night I caught the Wairarapa train from Lower Hutt to Upper Hutt for the first time and was charged a $1 surcharge. I didn't pay it because I didn't have $1 on me.
I checked the Tranz Metro website and this is what it states;
A minimum adult cash fare of $10.50 (8 zones) applies for journeys from Wellington to Petone, Waterloo and Upper Hutt stations on Wairarapa trains. Passengers using a Hutt Valley 10-trip or Monthly ticket are required to pay a cash surcharge to onboard staff. The minimum fare does not apply to Wellington-bound services. Waterloo or Petone 10-trip or monthly pass holders must pay a $5.00 cash surcharge, Upper Hutt 10-trip or monthly pass holders must pay a $1.00 cash surcharge.
For normal Hutt Valley fares refer to the Hutt Valley Times and Fares
http://www.tranzmetro.co.nz/Fares.aspx?LineID=5&FromID=16&ToID=27
So according to their own website, if I'm traveling from Wellington to Upper Hutt with a 10 trip pass it's a $1 surcharge.
The surcharge is designed to discourage Hutt Valley commuters taking the seats on the Wairarapa bound train from Wellington. Fair enough.
I called Tranz Metro this morning and the customer services rep quoted the above info, but when I asked specifically about the $1 fare from Lower Hutt to Upper Hutt she couldn't show me any documentation about it. She's since called back and said that the info is unclear and she does not know if I should pay the $1 fare or not.
$1 may seem a trivial amount but I have already purchased a 10 trip ticket between Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt and if I catch the train home 3 days per week it's an extra $150 per year extra. It's also an inconvenience to carry $1 coins for train travel only.
What do you guys think? Am I correct in challenging what looks to be a very arbitrary fare?