Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Generation Zero delivers 2000-strong petition
Generation Zero delivers 2000-strong petition for
clean buses
Wednesday 9 December
This morning, youth climate change organisation Generation Zero delivered its 2,000 signature ‘Keep It Clean’ petition to Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Generation Zero understands the Council will be making a final decision next week on its plans to scrap the clean electric trolley buses and replace these with diesel buses. The petition calls for the Council to find a better option, such as keeping the trolleys in operation for a few more years to enable a direct transition to battery electric buses.
Petition supporters greeted councillors as they entered this morning’s meeting with whistles, red cards and signs saying “Keep our buses clean” (see attached photo).
Speaking to the Council during public participation, Generation Zero spokesperson Victor Komarovsky said:
“The Council has set an objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all its areas of influence, helping to create the conditions for a smart, innovative, low-carbon regional economy. Can you really look me in the eye and tell me that you’re meeting this objective?”
“Replacing electric transport infrastructure with diesel today is a backwards step. Wellingtonians will rightly question whether the Council is serious about its ambitions of climate leadership and innovation.”
“We believe several cost-effective possibilities haven’t been properly considered. For example, if all trolleys could be redeployed on the new Karori-Miramar bus route only, the necessary investment and operating expenditure should be greatly reduced.”
“This would keep the trolleys in operation and avoid buying 60 new diesel buses which will delay the transition to a fully electric bus fleet.”
Generation Zero hopes the Council will commit to thoroughly investigating proposed alternative plans before making an irreversible decision to scrap the trolley buses.
The Keep It Clean petition can be found at www.generationzero.org/keepitclean
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Hikoi Aftermath
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
Helen Clark Foundation: Helen Clark Foundation Calls For Political Action To Reduce The Prevalence Of Junk Food And Improve Health Outcomes
Justice Committee: Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill
Infrastructure New Zealand: Single Agency Needed To Coordinate Climate Adaptation And Recovery
Free Speech Union: Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill Likely To Restrict Access To Information, Polling Shows Most Oppose
Auckland Transport: Driver Safety Screens Now Rolling Out Across Auckland’s Bus Fleet
