Satsifaction rebuilding

Results of a recent independent Passenger Satisfaction Survey show customer confidence in the Wellington region’s public transport network has been rebuilding over the last six months.

The next step is public engagement for Ka¯ piti Coast, Porirua, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa users.

The survey of 3190 people shows customers feel Metlink drivers and staff are more helpful and services are more reliable on both Wellington City buses and regional trains.

Satisfaction with the overall trip of bus users in Wellington City has increased to 90 per cent from 85 percent six months ago.

Similarly, satisfaction levels from train users have risen from 89 per cent to 93 per cent.

People in the Wellington region are high users of the public transport network, and that useage is growing, and in fact every year keeps exceeding our predicted growth.

Wellington region passed a milestone in September last year with annual ridership passing 40 million trips across bus, train and ferry for the first time.

We’re focused on improving the network performance and yes, we know there are still areas in the network where we need to do better.

Metlink and KiwiRail are working together on the $300 million Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme which will bring our region’s network up to a standard that allows for frequent services, longer trains and more reliability.

We now need central Government to agree to GWRC’s $414 million bid for new rolling stock and further track upgrades — which includes new trains to replace the Capital Connection.

Along with the Horizons Regional Council, we’ve prepared a joint business case for the purchase of modern, longer distance trains which will boost service levels and regional access for the Wairarapa and Palmerston North lines, and provide more capacity on the Wellington metro network.

With over 14.3 million passenger journeys counted in 2018/19 new rolling stock is essential in catering to passenger growth.

I’m hoping 2020 will be the year that at long last the Ka¯ piti Coast and Horowhenua communities get certainty from Government to deliver on past election promises to support the Capital Connection train service.