The recent submissions hearings the public transport spine options through Wellington City show people support a bus rapid transit option.
An 18-month study of the most feasible options for a high quality high frequency public transport spine between Wellington Station and the Regional Hospital was completed in June.
The three most feasible options were put out for public consultation between July and September.
In total, 278 formal submissions were received and Forty-three submitters spoke to their submissions.
This includes Mana Coach Services, NZ Bus, and the Wellington City Council Accessibility Group.
One petition, organised by Generation Zero, was also received which included 514 signatures.
A Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesperson says submitters and public survey respondents agreed implementing the public transport spine option was a medium to high priority.
“All the online surveys showed Bus Rapid Transit had the most support of options, with 46 per cent of the Wellington City panel respondents and 30 per cent of the Greater Wellington Regional Council panel respondents preferring this option,” she says.
“Most submitters were prepared to pay some more in rates to support the different options and some were prepared to pay more than $100 more in rates each year.”
She says people much preferred bus rapid transit over bus priority.
“However, many submitters found it difficult to visualise what a BRT system would look like in the Wellington context and what level of service and amenity it could offer compared with the current bus system or light rail,” she says.
“Some submitters said buses would need to be either electric or hybrid and there should be no on-board ticketing.”
The hearings committee will make recommendations to the Regional Transport Committee, and it will decide on a preferred option in early March 2014.
The option will be developed further and include a business case for funding.