MEDIA RELEASE FROM GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL

Getting information about public transport in the greater Wellington region is now much easier and more convenient, with the launch of the new Metlink website, www.metlink.org.nz

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport and Access Committee, says the new site is part of Greater Wellington’s investment in the public transport network. “Getting more people to use public transport more often is imperative for our region’s environmental and economic wellbeing. People will choose to use public transport, instead of their cars, if the system is reliable and convenient. Clear, easily accessible and reliable information is an integral part of a high-quality public transport network. I’m delighted that the new Metlink site delivers on that score.”

An outstanding feature of the new site, that went live last Tuesday (1 December), is its integration with Google Maps. “This really enhances the journey planning section of the site because an interactive map is much more useful to most people than text alone. The information is presented much more clearly than it was on the old site and the fare calculator tells you how much your journey will cost you,” says Cr Glensor.

Sigurd Magnusson, spokesman for Silverstripe, the Wellington company that built the new website, says the user feedback that Silverstripe enlisted while building the site was invaluable. “We learnt that people use the Metlink website for three key reasons: finding out what route to take to reach a certain destination, finding the next bus for a known route, and finding out how much a trip will cost. The new website makes these common tasks much easier to do.”

If there are any changes affecting the bus or train route you are browsing on the new site, you will be alerted to a service update. Service updates are also now available via RSS feeds, which broadcast changes to your regular bus, train or ferry services to you without you having to go to the Metlink website.

“And when real time information is up and running, in the later half of next year, people will be able to access it through the Metlink site,” says Cr Glensor.

The new website also enables you to find out exactly where bus stops are around the region. This feature is linked to Google Maps as well.

Cr Glensor says the new website is simple, quick and easy to use and a vast improvement on the old website. We have received a lot of positive feedback already.

“As with all new websites, there are tweaks that still have to be made. But these will be implemented over time to improve and enhance users’ experience.”

ENDS

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