Greater Wellington Regional Council Provides Blueprint For Regional Public Transport In Response To Climate Emergency
Greater Wellington Regional Council's Transport Committee today endorsed the proposed draft Wellington Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31, which will be consulted with the public.
"The draft Plan has been built around the
strategic priority of an efficient, accessible and low
carbon public transport network, achieved through mode
shift, decarbonisation of the public transport fleet and
improving customer experience", says Greater Wellington
Transport Committee Chair Cr Roger Blakeley.
"The
draft Plan could not be more timely given the Government's
Declaration of a Climate Emergency yesterday", says Cr
Blakeley. "Decarbonisation of the public transport fleet in
the Wellington Region will be a key contributor to reducing
Greater Wellington's carbon footprint. Public transport
contributes 50% of Greater Wellington's carbon footprint,
with 37% from buses and 13% from rail".
Cr Blakeley says "The draft plan includes the previously announced increase of the number of electric buses by 98 to 108, which will be progressively delivered from mid-2021 and take the proportion of e-buses in the fleet to around 21%, which is high by international standards.
“Investment on this scale is driving us towards meeting the draft plan’s goal to 'accelerate the implementation of an electric bus fleet in the region by 2030', in particular through retiring diesel buses and replacement with electric buses when the operator contracts come up for renewal in 2027.
"The draft Plan also includes additional
rolling stock on the Wellington Metro Rail Network, and
planned new rolling stock on both the Palmerston North and
Masterton train lines, including investigating the option of
battery-electric trains.
Positive moves are also
being made towards decarbonisation of the harbour, with
investment by East by West Ferries, our harbour ferry
operator, in the development of an electric ferry which will
be commissioned in 2021. The draft Plan envisages further
exploration of decarbonisation of the ferry
fleet".
Cr Blakeley says that another strong
feature of the draft Plan is a target of 40% increase of
mode share of public transport, walking, cycling and
micro-mobility by 2030.
This will be achieved by working together with Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and local councils on initiatives such as accelerating 'Let's Get Wellington Moving' projects of Mass Rapid Transit and Bus Priority Action, increasing urban development density near public transport hubs, improving walking and cycling facilities.
“Mode shift will contribute to reduced carbon emissions and reduced congestion, by making public transport, walking and cycling an attractive alternative to private cars.
"Under
the draft Plan, the National Integrated Ticketing System,
enhanced Real Time Information and improved digital
technology will positively increase customer experience and
deliver our objective of a truly integrated and connected
transport network.
"The draft plan has been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that experience shapes our planning for the next 10 years. Since coming out of lockdown, we've seen public transport patronage recover to over 80% of pre-COVID levels, higher than any other city in New Zealand. That is an indicator of the confidence and value our residents place in the public transport network, and the draft Plan aims to deliver on those high expectations", says Cr Blakeley.
Greater Wellington will be discussing the draft Plan initially with its strategic partners, and public consultation is scheduled to occur from 15 February to 19 March 2021.