News release
15 November 2006

Planning for the future of our transport network

Greater Wellington is inviting people to have their say on the future of the region’s transport network with the release of the Draft Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) this week.

“The draft RLTS is a key planning document that sets the direction for our land transport network for the next ten years and beyond,” says Cr Terry McDavitt, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Regional Land Transport Committee.

“It outlines our long-term vision and the objectives and policies that guide regional transport decisions, together with implementation plans for roading, road safety and encouraging alternatives to car use.”

The draft RLTS also proposes transport projects to address congestion and reliability, strengthen connections between regional centres, and build passenger transport capacity.

“I hope that members of the public will take a look at the draft RLTS – I’m certainly looking forward to hearing what people have to say about it,” says Cr McDavitt.

Also released for consultation alongside the RLTS is the draft Wellington Regional Passenger Transport Plan (PT Plan). The PT Plan sets out Greater Wellington’s framework for delivering passenger transport services in the region.

Cr Glen Evans, Greater Wellington’s Passenger Transport Committee Chair, says that with the recent rapid increase in public transport passengers, there’s a pressing need to resolve reliability and capacity issues.

“The immediate problems are getting serious attention but we must also look to the future.

“We think the increasing importance of passenger transport is here to stay. The PT Plan is about how we deal with that. It sets an overall goal of increasing the number of people using public transport both in peak and off-peak times.”

Cr Evans says that the PT Plan includes strategies such as improving service levels, easier access to timetable information, better linkages between services (including between buses and trains), and better quality vehicles.

“With the critical role that passenger transport will play, I hope that users will take the opportunity to give us their feedback on our proposals to make the region’s public transport network better.”

A summary of the draft RLTS and PT Plan has been sent to every household in the region. The council will hold a series of public meetings around the region during November and December to discuss the proposals. Submissions close on 16 February 2007.
For copies of the draft RLTS and PT Plan, and the public meeting dates, see Greater Wellington’s website www.gw.govt.nz or phone 04 802 0357.

ENDS

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