March 07, 2016
Go Bus southside win irks ACT head
ACT Leader David Seymour says one reason Go Bus has won four South Auckland public transport contracts is because it pays a lower Maori Authority tax rate, and that advantage should end.
Go Bus, which is owned by the commercial arms of Tainui and Ngai Tahu, picked up the four contracts previously held by Infratil’s NZ Bus in a competitive tendering process.
It intends to invest $40 million on more then 80 new low emission busses and two depots, and it expects to create 250 new driving and management jobs.
Mr Seymour says as an iwi-owned trust Go Bus enjoys a tax rate of 17.5 percent, making it more competitive than businesses paying the company tax rate of 28 percent.
He says ACT’s policy is to harmonise the company tax with the Maori Authority rate over time.
The bus routes include the Airport service,- Mangere Bridge to Auckland CBD, Papatoetoe/Otara and Otahuhu.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com