Wellington’s public transport system could soon undergo some massive changes, with conversation stirring around cash-free buses, pets onboard and fares among public consultation topics in the draft Wellington Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035.
The plan aims to propose affordable investments that improve the passenger experience and encourage people away from using private vehicles.
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“With 190,000 new residents expected in the Wellington Region over the next 30 years, upgrading our public transport network is critical for sustainable growth,” Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says.
“But given the high cost-of-living and reduced government funding, the plan strikes a balance by deferring the development of Porirua’s bus interchange and slowing down the purchase of new buses.”
Greater Wellington transport committee chair Thomas Nash says to meet the needs of a growing population, the council is seeking submissions on the creation of a regional network of high frequency bus corridors.
“At a time when government funding is focused on multi-billion-dollar road tunnels, bus corridors can reduce traffic congestion and emissions while enabling faster, more frequent services – all for a fraction of the cost,” Nash says.
“We currently depend on a single corridor through Wellington’s Golden Mile, which already has too many buses at peak times, causing bunching and delays.
“Combined with other bus priority improvements, a new corridor along the Wellington Harbour quays is projected to reduce peak time bus journeys by up to 10 minutes.”
The public is also being urged to have their say regarding parking charges at park and Rides. Despite millions of dollars being invested by Metlink to provide over 6,100 free car parks in Park and Rides at train stations across the region, they are frequently reaching capacity and leaving commuters struggling to find places to leave their cars.
“They frequently reach capacity, causing spillover into local streets, and in some places dangerous parking,” Metlink group manager Samantha Gain says.
“Many Park and Ride users don’t catch public transport, so we are considering a demand management system that includes paid parking on weekdays at popular Park and Rides in urban areas.
“Such a system would prioritise motorists who are connecting with the public transport network, including those on the school run or who need to travel later in the morning and cannot currently secure a Park and Ride space.”
Other consultation topics include phasing out cash fares onboard Metlink buses, cash free buses, the redevelopment of Waterloo Station into a transport hub with commercial and community spaces and permitting passengers to travel with pets, including small and large dogs.
These conversations come at the same time as Metlink announced a 2.2 per cent increase on public transport fares, and a 20 percent drop – 50 per cent to 30 per cent – on off-peak discounts. These will come into play from July 1.
Currently, an adult travelling off-peak from Karori to the CBD would pay $2.22, but with the increase this would bump up to $3.17. The peak fare price for the same journey would be $4.53.
The increased fares are in line with inflation, with Nash saying the fare increase is necessary to keep costs fair across transport users and ratepayers.
“Bearing in mind our fiscal constraints, we have no choice but to increase fares to keep up with inflation and operational costs. We are also mindful of keeping rates increases affordable for everyone,” Nash says.
“I don’t want to lower the discount for off-peak fares, but the government plans to reduce its share of funding to public transport give us no choice.
“An off-peak discount of 30 per cent still makes a difference for people in our community who travel at different times, and Metlink remains one of the only transport providers in the country with an off-peak discount.”
Metlink senior manager of strategy and investments Tim Shackleton says Metlink is working with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to set targets around public transport affordability and efficiency.
“Fares, rate payers, tax payers and the private sector all contribute to funding the public transport,” Shackleton says.
“Last year the Government set the direction to increase public transport revenue from non-government sources, and we are working with NZTA to set achievable funding targets from fares and third-party revenues such as advertising.
“Metlink advertising revenue has tripled in just over the last four years, and we continue to look for opportunities to grow our private funding sources.”
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