News release
Friday 28 September 2007

Transport report card gives mixed results

The annual report card showing what progress the Wellington region is making against its transport targets was published today, showing mixed results.

“Our biggest current challenge is around carbon dioxide emissions. Transport emissions in this region have increased (by 1.2%) and not reduced,” said Cr Terry McDavitt, Chair of the Regional Land Transport Committee that commissions and receives the results.

“That increase is driven by increased fuel consumption in our region, especially increased diesel consumption. While some measures are in place to counter these trends in the longer term, such as significant investment in trains, as a region we will need to look at getting more efficient use of fuel and trips if we are going to make the sort of progress regional and national policy expects in the timeframe expected.”

The increase in emissions comes despite another recorded reduction in average network congestion, a 3% decrease over 2006 levels following a significant 17% decrease in 2006 over 2005 levels.

“On the other hand, the number and impact of delay-causing incidents on the network has again increased this year, leading to deepening problems in network reliability,” said Cr McDavitt.

“I am also worried that we seem to be losing the battle on safety. 2006 saw the highest number of injury crashes in nine years, with cyclists in particular faring very badly. While this worsening trend is a national phenomenon, it wasn’t that long ago that Wellington region performed much better on safety.”

The Annual Transport Monitoring Report records annual performance on the regional transport network on over 100 different indicators, many of them reported in comparison with performance in similar regions. The 2007 report shows Wellington region maintaining its historical edge over other urban areas in public transport and walking.

“The results for pedestrian trips show we are doing quite well in that area, at least in comparison with other centres,” said Cr McDavitt.

The report also records actual against planned progress for significant projects and enhancements. 2007 saw the completion of the Inner City Bypass, MacKays Crossing, rail contracts and rolling stock investment, the first targets in travel demand management, and the adoption of the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

“This represents an accelerating rate of progress compared to past years, some of it no doubt due to more realistic government funding. On the other hand recorded progress is still short of target. Tardy progress will no doubt lead to future Monitoring Reports recording further deterioration on key indicators. Fundamentally, traffic continues to grow faster than the combined effects of all the efforts to manage it,” said Cr McDavitt

The transport performance report will be presented to Greater Wellington’s new Regional Land Transport Committee in December to acquaint its members with actual network performance and problems before they review future programmes.

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