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Wellington's public transport system to get $6.4b overhaul
A new $6.4bn transport project aiming to free up traffic in Wellington CBD will combine a mass transit system with an improved bus network, the government says.
Phil Twyford announces the new $6.4b transport plan for Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
The Let's Get Wellington Moving project was announced this morning by Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Wellington's city and regional mayors Justin Lester and Chris Laidlaw.
The government has confirmed it will support the $6.4bn budget for the massive overhaul of public transport in Wellington over two decades.
Wellington mayor Justin Lester said the plan was based on feedback from 10,000 submitters and aimed to serve the city's expected 50,000 to 80,000 population growth over the next 30 years.
"It's about investing in and sparking urban development. With reliable and regular mass transit the city can grow alongside the public transport spine," he said.
In a written statement, Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Chris Laidlaw said it was an opportunity to build a system centred on public transport, walking and cycling.
"We know that simply building yet more roading capacity is no longer an option. That is mid-20th century thinking. What's needed is a shift in the balance between the private car and public transport. That is why mass transit needs to be introduced alongside a bus network that is given far more priority within the city than it currently has. Work on bus priority needs to begin immediately while we finalise the best option for mass transit."
Building more roading capacity to handle Wellington traffic woes is "no longer an option", says Chris Laidlaw Photo: RNZ
Documentation on the website for the project said the city faced growing congestion, near-capacity buses and trains, walking and cycling safety problems and poor resilience to unplanned events.
The project aims to focus on the area between Ngauranga Gorge and the airport.
It signalled early work focusing on:
• Improved bus reliability and speed on core routes
• Bus prioritisation and walking/cycling improvements for Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road and the "Golden Mile" - the CBD route following Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place.
• Safer speed limits and pedestrian improvements in the CBD
• Safer speed limits on SH1 between the city and the airport
• Walking and cycling improvements for Cobham Drive on the route to the airport
Mr Lester had earlier touted the project as a "transformational" multi-billion dollar investment in Wellington infrastructure.
He had signalled it would particularly affect the area between the CBD and the airport.
"You compare side by side the Basin Reserve flyover with what our proposal for that part of the city looks like and it's chalk and cheese," he told Morning Report this week, "when you see what will be proposed I think people will be astounded. It's a vast improvement."
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