20 December 2006

Clapped out buses to continue in Capital

Instead of a Christmas present of 60 new trolley buses to ride in next year, Wellington public transport users will face another year of travelling in run down, dilapidated 20 year old trolley buses, Green Party MP Sue Kedgley says.

"Wellingtonians were promised there would a new fleet of trolley buses on the streets by early next year.Yet further delays in negotiating the contract mean that we could be waiting another year before the new fleet of trolley buses will arrive," Ms Kedgley says.

"How long does it take to sign a contract? And why on earth have contract negotiations dragged on for more than two years?"

Ms Kedgley said the glacial pace of contract negotiations on the trolley bus contract between Stagecoach and the Greater Wellington Regional Council was incomprehensible.

Ms Kedgley said Greater Wellington Regional Council owes Wellingtonians an explanation as to why it has still not signed the contract for the new trolley buses, two years after a deal was supposed to have been finalised.

"All around the country, ordinary New Zealanders are turning to public transport. They expect and deserve a quality service. In Wellington, the public have been patient for long enough - they deserve to be told when a new fleet of trolley buses will finally be on the streets.

"The Regional Council keeps talking about its commitment to public transport, but its commitment seems to be wearing thin. The reality is endless delays and frustration for Wellington commuters," Ms Kedgley says.

ENDS

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