New law could break airport bus monopoly
The future of how Wellingtonians travel to the airport is up in the air as elected officials seek to introduce a law that would allow Metlink buses into the airport.
The move comes as the Snapper Card payment system is set to be removed from the Airport Flyer service, and SkyBus has reaffirmed a ‘‘strong desire’’ to operate an airport service in the capital.
The NZ Bus-owned Airport Flyer service – a commerciallyrun service that operates independently of Metlink – currently has a monopoly on access to Wellington Airport.
Infratil owns NZ Bus in addition to being the airport’s majority owner.
SkyBus – a commercial service that operates in Auckland, Melbourne and the Gold Coast – says it is in a ‘‘holding pattern’’ until Wellington Airport can find a way forward for its service.
Chief executive Michael Sewards said high-level conversations with the airport had taken place but the agreement with the commercial Airport Flyer service had led to a stalemate.
SkyBus would look to acquire the airport service if the opportunity came about, he said.
‘‘We are open to having that conversation … now we sit back and wait ... it’s very much our desire to provide the [Wellington] service.’’
Rongotai MP Paul Eagle said it was no secret NZ Bus, which lost the bulk of its Wellington public transport contracts recently, had been looking to sell its Wellington operation.
Industry insiders had speculated that until the sale went ahead, it would hold on to its commercial Airport Flyer service to maximise the sale as a going concern, Eagle said.
In the meantime, Greater Wellington regional councillor Daran Ponter had asked him to draft a private members’ bill to change the legislation related to airports and public transport.