Government floats using emergency fund on public transport, Labour asks why it wasn't in Budget

The transport minister says if the government used the $450 million set aside on public transport, it would be to put on more trains and buses during peak periods.

The government says it could use its emergency fund on better public transport services, but the opposition says it's surprising that was now on the government's agenda given there was no evidence of that in the Budget.

The transport minister says if the government used the $450 million set aside on public transport, it would be to put on more trains and buses during peak periods.

"The public transport authorities are working with NZTA on that at the moment."

Labour announced on Wednesday it would cap public transport fares at $20 a week in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and $10 everywhere else, if elected.