Have your say on Wellington’s public transport blueprint

Greater Wellington Regional Council is encouraging people to give their feedback on its plan to deliver the best public transport services for the region.

“The draft Regional Public Transport Plan is our blueprint for world-class public transport in Wellington,” says Cr Paul Swain, the Council’s Public Transport Portfolio Leader.

“It spells out clearly all the work that will need to be done over the next six to eight years to make public transport more attractive, affordable and easier to use. Our aim is to get more people out of their cars and onto buses, trains and harbour ferries. This will ease congestion, improve productivity, reduce transport emissions and make the Wellington region an even more attractive place to visit, work and play in.

“Public transport in Wellington is pretty good now – 84% of people live within 500 metres of a bus stop, train station or ferry terminal. More than 140,000 public transport trips are made every working day and we have the highest average number of public transport boardings per person per year – 72, compared to 47 in Auckland and 20 in Canterbury.

“But we want to make public transport much better. We’re well on the way with rail services –the first batch of new Matangi trains has greatly increased punctuality and reliability of train services. We’re working to improve Wairarapa services and the draft plan aims to give commuters from Wairarapa, Upper Hutt and Kapiti more reliable and faster services. There’ll be more peak services from key metropolitan stations such as Waterloo and Porirua.

“A new bus rapid transit spine through central Wellington will speed up travel times and, along with a new network of services, will give a lot more people access to high-frequency bus routes. Just as the train fleet has been renewed, so will the bus fleet. We’re exploring various options for a modernised fleet, all of them low-emission, that will give passengers a better on-board experience and more reliable services. We’re keen to know what’s most important to people about a new bus fleet – how important is reliability and are people willing to pay more for a lower emission option?

“The draft plan includes the development of an integrated fares and ticketing system that will be rolled out from 2017. This will make connections between public transport services and modes more frequent and simpler – you’ll use one card for all your trips and pay only one fare for your entire journey regardless of how many trips are involved.

“I’d strongly encourage every ratepayer and public transport user in the region to have a look through the draft plan and give us your thoughts.”

The draft plan is out for public consultation from today Friday 4 April until Friday 9 May. Submissions will be heard in late May and a final plan will be adopted by the Council in late June.

You can download the draft Regional Public Transport Plan and give your feedback at www.gw.govt.nz/have-your-say .

Copies of the draft plan can be viewed at your library or Regional Council office or you can request a copy by calling 0800 496 374.

Public meetings will be held around the region during the next five weeks to give people an opportunity to get more information about the draft plan. A schedule of these meetings is attached.

For media comment, call 021 914 266 or email comms@gw.govt.nz

Public meeting schedule
Where When Venue
Wellington 9 April, 7.00pm Mezzanine Meeting Room, Wellington City Library
10 April, 12.15pm Mezzanine Meeting Room, Wellington City Library
29 April, 12.15pm Pipitea Room, National Library of New Zealand
Lower Hutt 10 April, 7.00pm James Coe 1 Room, The Dowse Art Museum
Porirua-Tawa 16 April, 7.00pm Function Room, Gear Homestead
Upper Hutt 23 April, 7.00pm Rotary Lounge, Upper Hutt City Library
Wairarapa 28 April, 7.00pm Frank Cody Lounge, Wairarapa Town Hall
Kapiti Coast 29 April, 7.00pm Main Foyer Area, Whitireia Kapiti Campus

Ends

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