New fleet hits the road this weekend
emission technologies. They represent millions of dollars of investment into Upper Hutt.
I’m really proud of the changes. They are the result of years of planning and input from communities and customers about the public transport system people want. And we couldn’t do this without ratepayer support.
Why are we doing this? Mainly because our region is growing and our current transport network is struggling to cope with demand.
We already are big users of public transport – about 100,000 trips are taken on Metlink buses, trains and ferries every day. But we need to increase that even further.
Making public transport easy, quick and more comfortable for more people will reduce congestion, improve the environment and make it safer for commuters. I will make road trips easier too.
We want to make public transport a real option not just for your weekday commute, but also for your regular trips to the shops or visits to friends and family.
That’s why we’ve put bike racks on every new bus, and are providing free transfers between any Metlink bus using Snapper, and new options for train tickets. We’re also bringing in a range of discounts and concessions for off peak travel, and for children, tertiary students and people with disabilities. We want to make public transport accessible to all and a real choice for you every day.
The next step comes on July 15, when timetable, ticket and fare changes happen across the region. This is another step on the route to a more integrated public transport network, where buses, trains and ferries work seamlessly together. In the next couple of years we expect to introduce a single ticketing system that can be used on trains, buses and ferries; something that will make catching public transport much easier.
If you want to know more about what the changes mean for you, go to the Metlink website www.metlink.org.nz.