Greens’ transport plan offers smart way forward

Monday, 8 September 2014, 12:45 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

Greens’ transport plan offers smart way forward for Wellington

Youth climate change group Generation Zero says the Green Party’s Wellington transport plan announced today is a smart blueprint for a prosperous low carbon city, and shows that there is now cross-party support for a light rail solution for Wellington.

The Greens’ costed plan would focus investment in better and cleaner public transport and improved walking and cycling facilities by reallocating funding from currently planned road projects.

The plan draws on Generation Zero’s Fast Forward Wellington proposal produced last year for a modern light rail network from the railway station to Newtown and Kilbirnie, with extensions to the Wellington Airport, Island Bay and Miramar by 2025.

New Zealand First and UnitedFuture have previously expressed support for a light rail line connecting the railway station to the airport.

Spokesperson Paul Young says “With three political parties now backing light rail for Wellington city, it needs to be reconsidered by local councils in the wake of the Basin Flyover being rejected.”

“Last year’s Public Transport Spine Study wasn’t a fair assessment of light rail’s potential. Light rail to the airport is affordable on our proposed Constable Connection route through Newtown and would deliver huge benefits.

“Wellington has a huge opportunity right now to develop a forward-looking transport plan that will clean up our city, cut our carbon pollution and make it an even more vibrant and enjoyable place to live.”

“Young people are moving beyond the car and cities offering the choice of reliable, high quality public transport and safe, separated cycleways will be the ones where talent wants to live.”

ENDS

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