Govt green light for Wellington transport moves

The Government has endorsed the Let’s Get Wellington Moving indicative package to ease its congestion, transport minister Phil Twyford says.

“We’ll reduce congestion by integrating modern rapid transit, walking and cycling upgrades, and better public transport with the city’s motorways and roads,” says Twyford who adds that the 20-year plan is step change for the capital’s transport.

The city is moving towards a smarter transport network with fully integrated ticketing, rapid transit from the rail station to Newtown and the airport, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), electric vehicles including buses and e-scooters, an extra Mount Victoria Tunnel and widening Ruahine St and Wellington Rd for public transport and walking and cycling.

“Better public transport infrastructure and more services will encourage people out of their cars – freeing up the roads for those that have to drive,” Twyford says.

“By unlocking the Basin Reserve and making streets more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, we’ll have a more liveable city that’s safer to get around.”

Twyford says Let’s Get Wellington Moving will help boost growth and encourage more housing, especially along the rapid transit corridor.

It will also open up the potential for the city waterfront central business district, attracting investment.

“We can’t do everything at once and my expectation is that congestion-busting projects like rapid transit will be prioritised over motorway projects,” Twyford says.

He says about $4 billion has been allowed for other regional transport projects.

“The next step is for the Wellington City Council and regional councils to endorse and commit to funding their share of the $6.4 billion plan,” Twyford says.

“The total cost of the LGWM indicative package is split 60:40 between central government and local government to reflect the wider local benefits of the package.”

Let’s Get Wellington Moving is a joint initiative between the Government, Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the NZ Transport Agency.

If endorsed and funded by the relevant councils, package components will go through the normal NZ Transport Agency project business case process.

Click here for a rapid transit video and more.