Latest news with #GreaterWellingtonTransportCommittee
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Happy Valley Land Purchased For Metlink Bus Depot
Press Release – Greater Wellington Te Pane Matua Taiao Approved by 86% of respondents during consultation for the 2024-34 Long term Plan, the strategy to acquire depot sites is considered crucial for securing the long-term continuity of Metlink bus services. A Happy Valley site has been purchased by Greater Wellington for the development of a bus depot as part of the regional council's Public Transport Asset Control Strategy. Approved by 86% of respondents during consultation for the 2024-34 Long term Plan, the strategy to acquire depot sites is considered crucial for securing the long-term continuity of Metlink bus services. Greater Wellington Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash says by controlling depots, the council is removing barriers for new bus operators to enter the market. 'Value for money for residents and public transport users through open and fair competition is a key plank of our strategy, which also aims to improve the passenger experience as we transition to a zero emissions fleet,' Cr Nash says. 'This purchase gives us a base for growth by encouraging bus operators that do not have depots to bid for Metlink contracts. It gives us certainty to make long term investments in charging infrastructure for electric buses, at a location that will help us deliver a more planned, responsive and efficient network.' 'We need the right infrastructure in the right places,' says Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter. 'The depot will be near the start of several bus routes – including the high frequency route 1 – and will support the expansion and electrification of north to south services. 'Beyond 2030, the future is uncertain for the earthquake prone, historic Kilbirnie bus depot, while a depot in Rongotai has space constraints. 'That's why Metlink is also exploring opportunities for another depot north of Wellington, and breaking ground on a new depot by the airport to buttress east to west buses – including our most popular service, the route 2.' Greater Wellington takes possession of the one-hectare, Happy Valley section in May 2026, and plans for a depot to open there in mid-2028. Deputy Transport Committee chair Simon Woolf says the purchase is 'sensible future proofing' for the region. 'Happy Valley depot will eventually strengthen bus services between Wellington's south coast and growing areas in the north,' Cr Woolf says. 'It will initially stable up to 80 diesel buses, until sufficient energy is connected and battery chargers installed to power our expanding electric fleet.' South Wellington bus user and regional councillor Yadana Saw says Metlink is committed to being a good neighbour and responsible member of the Happy Valley community. 'Securing this site safeguards public transport assets in public ownership. It enables genuine engagement with people working and living nearby and strengthens our partnership with mana whenua Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira – by bringing us together on any sites of significance,' Cr Saw says. 'BigAir gym will continue to operate on the site, and other tenants will be given time to relocate. When development begins, we'll take steps to protect Ōwhiro Stream from any stormwater run-off that comes from the section. This is a win for transport, the environment and our community for the long term.'
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Happy Valley Land Purchased For Metlink Bus Depot
A Happy Valley site has been purchased by Greater Wellington for the development of a bus depot as part of the regional council's Public Transport Asset Control Strategy. Approved by 86% of respondents during consultation for the 2024-34 Long term Plan, the strategy to acquire depot sites is considered crucial for securing the long-term continuity of Metlink bus services. Greater Wellington Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash says by controlling depots, the council is removing barriers for new bus operators to enter the market. 'Value for money for residents and public transport users through open and fair competition is a key plank of our strategy, which also aims to improve the passenger experience as we transition to a zero emissions fleet,' Cr Nash says. 'This purchase gives us a base for growth by encouraging bus operators that do not have depots to bid for Metlink contracts. It gives us certainty to make long term investments in charging infrastructure for electric buses, at a location that will help us deliver a more planned, responsive and efficient network.' 'We need the right infrastructure in the right places,' says Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter. 'The depot will be near the start of several bus routes – including the high frequency route 1 – and will support the expansion and electrification of north to south services. 'Beyond 2030, the future is uncertain for the earthquake prone, historic Kilbirnie bus depot, while a depot in Rongotai has space constraints. 'That's why Metlink is also exploring opportunities for another depot north of Wellington, and breaking ground on a new depot by the airport to buttress east to west buses – including our most popular service, the route 2.' Greater Wellington takes possession of the one-hectare, Happy Valley section in May 2026, and plans for a depot to open there in mid-2028. Deputy Transport Committee chair Simon Woolf says the purchase is 'sensible future proofing' for the region. 'Happy Valley depot will eventually strengthen bus services between Wellington's south coast and growing areas in the north,' Cr Woolf says. 'It will initially stable up to 80 diesel buses, until sufficient energy is connected and battery chargers installed to power our expanding electric fleet.' South Wellington bus user and regional councillor Yadana Saw says Metlink is committed to being a good neighbour and responsible member of the Happy Valley community. 'Securing this site safeguards public transport assets in public ownership. It enables genuine engagement with people working and living nearby and strengthens our partnership with mana whenua Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira – by bringing us together on any sites of significance,' Cr Saw says. 'BigAir gym will continue to operate on the site, and other tenants will be given time to relocate. When development begins, we'll take steps to protect Ōwhiro Stream from any stormwater run-off that comes from the section. This is a win for transport, the environment and our community for the long term.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Strategy To Align Wellington Public Transport And Urban Development
A new strategy that aligns public transport improvements with urban development is a key feature of the Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-35, recommended by the Greater Wellington Transport Committee. After hearing submissions for two-days, committee chair Thomas Nash says there is clear demand to expand Metlink services in growth areas, an aspiration not supported by current government funding. 'Bus patronage continues to surpass record levels while train patronage is being driven down by underinvestment in the rail network,' Cr Nash says. 'With fast-tracked housing projects accelerating population growth projections, it's essential public transport receives appropriate investment to meet forecast demand. 'Regional development requires sustained funding. Without this certainty, and under the government's new constrained public transport settings, it's nearly impossible to increase affordable Metlink services within council means and without cutting other services. 'The new strategy will empower Greater Wellington to explore additional funding mechanisms with partners, including a development levy and congestion charging, with the goal of securing sustained investment in public transport infrastructure, while incentivising cost-effective land use and urban development that lowers the overall cost of infrastructure, housing and transport.' The committee supported exploring service improvements, including increasing the frequency of buses to Hutt Hospital from Wainuiomata, extending bus routes into Aotea and Grenada, and boosting inter-regional bus services to Levin, subject to available funding. Also recommended was a programme to study the feasibility of new railway stations and infrastructure upgrades in Kāpiti, Horowhenua and the Hutt Valley. Wairarapa councillor Adrienne Staples says urgent action is required to improve Wairarapa Rail Line operations and assets which was acknowledged by the committee, echoing the immense frustration expressed in submissions on the performance of the line. Council chair Daran Ponter says feedback shows it's not the right time for paid parking at railway station Park and Rides, and that on balance, current rules about pets on Metlink services are adequate. 'We'll keep working on the Park and Ride demand management proposal and look to align it with the introduction of fully integrated ticketing and congestion charging, once rail patronage stabilises,' says Cr Ponter. 'Small pets will continue to be welcome onboard Metlink services, but our operators and the disability community have expressed concerns about the potential for animals not in pet carriers to disrupt services and guide dogs.' Progressing a regional network of bus corridors and the redevelopment of Waterloo Station were supported by the committee, which also recommended accessibility improvements and an investigation into accelerating the phasing out of onboard cash payments. The regional council will consider the committee's recommendations on 26 June 2025.
