Public transport ‘below par’

Two-thirds of people asked for their thoughts on the Wellington region’s public transport system say it is not up to scratch, and an even higher number say they are willing to pay more to improve it.

Criticisms raised include delays to Wellington’s proposed integrated ticketing system, the continued use of diesel buses, and incorrect use of te reo Ma¯ ori by public transport staff.

The feedback was received during consultation on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s proposed 10-year plan, in which public transport was deemed the most unsatisfactory of five ‘‘priority areas’’ put forward.

Some interesting ideas were offered up for improving the network, including introducing offpeak steam trains to boost visitor numbers in Wairarapa, and providing for self-driving shuttles in readiness for potential changes in transport technology.

The criticism of the public transport network came from a survey conducted prior to full public consultation of 358 people on the council’s online citizen panel – an opt-in group that boasts about 3000 members.

The survey revealed twothirds of people deemed the network unsatisfactory, with 36 per cent agreeing it was the area in most need of investment.

Survey respondents said they would be happy to fork out more to help fix the problems, with 73 per cent saying more ratepayer money should go into improving the network.

The council said ongoing issues with the troubled Wairarapa rail line appeared to be behind the 70 first-time submitters from that region who contributed to the survey, making up the largest number of submitters.

Double-tracking the line between Trentham and Upper Hutt was again mentioned by survey respondents.

Nga¯ti Kahungunu iwi also said it wanted steam trains to bring tourists to Wairarapa at offpeak times.

The council is hoping for $200 million from the Government later this year to improve the region’s rail network, including $100m to upgrade the ageing Wairarapa line.

A separate question put to submitters addressed the Wairarapa rail issues, with the council saying its preferred option was to allocate funds from the 2022-23 financial year for a new fleet of lower-emission, diesel-elctric trains. That was supported by 59 per cent of people.

Elsewhere, Nga¯ Hapu¯ o O¯ taki said the one-card payment system for all buses, trains and ferries – known as integrated ticketing – was critical for O¯ taki.

The Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association said it wanted a further three per cent discount on public transport fares to offset an overall fare increase across the board.

The council said several improvements to the network would be introduced shortly, such as a new fleet of buses, including 10 fully electric doubledeckers, revamping the Wellington city bus network, and providing simplified fares and better connections between transport modes. Rail network improvements would take place in the next five to 10 years, including double-tracking between Trentham and Upper Hutt

New public transport announcements had recently been recorded with correct te reo pronunciation, the council said.