City’s bus hubs chosen for upgrade
Designs for two new bus hubs in Kilbirnie and Johnsonville will get under way next year, alongside a $3.5 million upgrade of six other citywide hubs.
Evans Bay Parade and Moorefield Rd have been given the go-ahead for design and tender work, overseen by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council.
The Johnsonville and Kilbirnie stops will link with six other existing hubs at Wellington Railway Station, the hospital, Courtenay Place, Miramar, Brooklyn and Karori Tunnel, all of which will be upgraded.
Consultation over six possible locations in Kilbirnie and Johnsonville began in July as part of a new bus network for the capital after the city council asked for a review of the options.
About 65 per cent of respondents from the eastern suburbs put Evans Bay Parade as their top preference, while about 45 per cent from the northern suburbs opted for Moorefield Rd as their first choice.
About 400 submissions were received, and there were also about 7500 views of the webpage detailing the options.
Work on the bus hubs is in line with a new bus network that will run increased off-peak trips from July 2018. It includes upgrades and relocation of shelters, signage, curbing, widened footpaths, and altered road markings.
Commuters can expect better seating and lights, more screens for bus route information/arrival and departure times, and CCTVs.
However, parking spaces will be removed at the new stops while others are added at abandoned stops.
The submissions showed a trend in support from commuters who connected to Miramar in favour of the Evans Bay Parade option. Issues were raised over congestion on Rongotai Rd and submitters asked for better shelter to connect with the Bay Rd shopping area.
Supporters of Moorefield Rd gave their vote on condition that adequate shelter at the stops was installed, because of exposure to wind and rain.
Greater Wellington’s sustainable transport committee chairwoman Barbara Donaldson said the locations for the existing hubs were poor and needed to go.
‘‘Johnsonville’s current hub is in the car park of a mall that is scheduled for redevelopment. Kilbirnie’s is spread over four stops and causes congestion, as well as offering little space or shelter.’’