This follows a new initiative that will give government workers up to a 50% subsidy on the purchase price of new e-bikes. Apparently, associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter claims the e-bike discount for public servants will improve health, reduce emissions and congestion – and no doubt buy her and the Greens a few more votes.
Around 50,000 government workers are expected to be offered the deal over the next year, with discounts of between $300 and $1200.
Genter claims that taxpayers will not be paying for the discount as NZTA has negotiated the cheaper bikes by buying in bulk from the suppliers.
“There is no cost to tax payers beyond a small admin cost of NZTA setting up this scheme,” her office claims.
However, your old mate notes this ‘small admin cost’ does not include how much NZTA has forked out in buying the e-bikes in bulk or the interest incurred on this while public servants pay NZTA back. It appears that Shane Jones is not the only current Government minister overtly using taxpayer funds to buy votes…
