The expected rejection of Light Rail for central Wellington’s ‘Golden Mile’ will not be the end of the public transport debate says UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne.
“The Regional Council’s Transport Committee is meeting today to decide on how to improve public transport through the central city.
“A greater frequency of even bigger buses along Wellington’s narrow, crowded streets is not the answer.
“There is not even certainty that the bus option will deliver enough capacity and with 60 buses per hour in the morning and evening peak there is no room to expand.” says Mr Dunne.
The decision comes following a flawed study that bloats the financial cost of Light Rail.
NZTA estimates the cost of Light Rail is more than five times that of an improved bus system.
“It is important to have some historical perspective here.
“Wellington had trams for decades and one of those tram routes followed Constable St between Newtown and Kilbirnie.
“To suggest that modern trams will not be able to use Constable St and will need a separate tunnel under Mt Victoria just shows the dense thinking that went into the Spine Study.
“Wellington has an opportunity to find a twenty-first century solution and invest in the future; I know we can find something better. “
The study that has led to this decision was flawed and heavily biased against light rail.” says Mr Dunne
“The Mayor and City Council need to make light rail a bottom line for Wellington.
“If Auckland can insist on central city rail loop then Wellington can insist on Light Rail,” Mr Dunne says.