31 January 2005

You ain’t seen nothing yet - Transport package windfall brings commuter benefits

The new $225m Wellington Transport Package, announced this week will bring positive and noticible changes for commuters throughout the region. Greater Wellington Regional Council Transport Manager Dr Dave Watson says around $30m will be spent on enhanced passenger transport services which will be directly enjoyed by commuters who have already been waiting too long for improvements.

“The enhanced services will include extra bus services and improvements to the scope and frequency of services, more bus priority measures (such as designated bus lanes) and giving buses priority at traffic lights.

“Integrated ticketing will also be bought on stream which will allow commuters to purchase one ticket for all services. An off peak system wide paper ticket will be introduced towards the end of this year and an electronic ticketing system, such as is available in most cities in Australia and throughout Europe, will be introduced by 2006” He says the region will adopt real time’ smart technology’ at bus stops similar to that already in use in Christchurch.

“By 2007 an electronic display at bus stops will provide commuters with real time information such as when the next bus is due for each route using that stop.”

“The extra money in the pot will be bring these projects forward to implementation early in the ten year plan rather than towards the end which will make public transport a viable and attractive option for more people.”

ENDS

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