Fareshare: The Smart, Sustainable Employee Benefit That’s FBT-Free
As a business owner, offering cost-effective employee benefits can help you attract and retain talent while also meeting sustainability goals.
But did you know you can subsidise employee transport without incurring Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)?
Fareshare - a tax-exempt initiative by Auckland Transport (AT) enables businesses to subsidise public transport fares for employees in a way that’s both affordable and hassle-free.
What is Fareshare?
Fareshare allows employers to partially cover the cost of public transport (bus, train, and ferry, excluding the Waiheke ferry) for their staff. The best part? It’s fully exempt from FBT, making it an efficient and budget-friendly employee perk.
How does it Work?
Choose your subsidy level – Employers can cover 25%, 50%, or 75% of public transport costs.
Select travel days – The subsidy can apply to weekdays only or 7 days a week.
Invite your employees – Staff register using their work email and AT HOP card to activate their discount.
Track usage with easy invoicing – Employers receive a monthly report detailing the total spend per employee.
Simple offboarding – When employees leave, their subsidy can be deactivated instantly.
Why do Businesses Love Fareshare?
No Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) - One of the biggest advantages of Fareshare is that subsidised transport is fully exempt from FBT. This means businesses can offer a valuable perk without additional tax liabilities.
Low-Cost, High-Impact Employee Benefit - With no setup or admin fees, Fareshare is an affordable way to support employees. Employers typically spend between $15–$20 per registered employee per month, making it a low-cost investment in staff well-being.
Helps You Meet Sustainability Goals - Fareshare provides businesses with CO₂ and kilometer savings data, making it easy to measure and report on sustainability initiatives. It also reduces parking demand, freeing up space for customers.
Encourages a Strong Workplace Culture - Employees value cost savings and convenience, and businesses using Fareshare have seen an increase in staff engagement and retention.
How are Businesses Benefiting?
For businesses looking to provide meaningful perks without additional tax burdens, Fareshare is a smart financial decision. With zero FBT costs, low monthly expenses, and sustainability benefits, it’s an easy way to support employees while keeping your bottom line in check.
Want to Join?
Getting started is simple. Use AT’s cost estimate calculator to see how much a subsidy could cost your business, or reach out to Fareshare@at.govt.nz to sign up today.