The journey continues with Hutt bus changes happening this weekend

Changes to Hutt Valley bus services are just days away with a fleet of new vehicles and new Metlink services ready to start from 17 June, says Chair of Wellington Regional Council’s Sustainable Transport Committee Barbara Donaldson.

“From Te Marua to Eastbourne, we’ll have a new look with Metlink’s distinctive colours of lime and yellow on most buses,” says Cr Donaldson. “Most of the bus fleet will be brand new, with vehicles specially designed for our region. All new buses will feature bike racks to give you more options for getting around. They are spacious and quiet, and have air conditioning and the latest engine technology for your comfort.

“There are new weekend services to Belmont, Korokoro, Stokes Valley Heights, Trentham and Pinehaven, while Riverstone Terraces gets its first regular weekday bus service.

“Connecting with other services will also get easier because we are bringing in free transfers between all Metlink buses in the Hutt Valley, as long as you pay with Snapper and it’s within 30 minutes of tagging off. So there is no extra fare to pay if changing buses at Queensgate for the Western Hills, at Upper Hutt for Te Marua, or Waterloo for a bus to Wainuiomata.

“Timetables will be changing too in preparation for wider changes in July so that buses and trains are more integrated. That means, for a short while, connections between bus and rail services will not be perfect, so please check your new bus timetable carefully. Connections will be much smoother from 15 July when rail timetables across the region are updated. Snapper and free transfers will be available on every Metlink bus in the region from then too.

“We want to help more people go more places more often and that’s why we’re building an integrated public transport network focused on what customers have told us they want.

“Our new network is designed to offer our customers the best of our region. It will give us all a smoother and more comfortable travel experience. That will help our region grow and prosper, benefitting the lives of everyone in Greater Wellington,” Councillor Donaldson says.

“Detailed timetable and fare information is on the Metlink website. Signing up for MyMetlink updates (at www.metlink.org.nz/customer-services/connect-with-us/sign-up-for-a-my-metlink-account) is one of the best ways you can keep up to date with what this actually means for you and how you can be more connected.”
ENDS

KEY FACTS
From Monday 18 June 2018, there will be a new weekday bus route (#113) for Riverstone Terraces to Upper Hutt.
From 23 June 2018, there will be new Saturday bus services for:
o Belmont (route 145)
o Korokoro (route 154)
o Stokes Valley Heights (route 121)
o Trentham (route 114)
o Pinehaven (route 115)
Signing up to MyMetlink is one of the best ways to keep up to date on the changes.
Snapper will provide the best value in fares – cash will be at least 25% more expensive.
Free Metlink bus-to-bus transfer within a 30 minute window when using a Snapper card.
Brand new buses in Metlink colours of lime and yellow.
Bus service changes across the region are being rolled out in three phases - Wairarapa on 30 April, the Hutt Valley on 17 June, and Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti on 15 July.
$1.3 billion invested in operating and improving public transport services and infrastructure over five years.
One Metlink brand for travel, recognised across our whole region.
Journeys on buses, trains and ferries are forecast to increase from 38 million to 42 million trips a year, between now and 2024.
Over 250 specially built low emission buses on the road across Wellington region from 15 July 2018. Another 90 new buses on the road in early 2019.
Bus fleet will include 60 new double decker buses in Wellington to help reduce congestion, including 10 fully electric double deckers from mid-2018 and another 22 by 2021.

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