Electric rapid transit in Wellington at next stage

Electric light rail from Wellington Station to Island Bay, a new tunnel through Mt Victoria for public transport, and walking and cycling, and upgrades to improve traffic flow at the Basin Reserve are being progressed by the Government.

“Where previous governments have failed to plan for the long term, we are committed to supporting Wellington to reach its future potential,” says infrastructure minister Grant Robertson.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Wellington’s future, align transport and urban development, and help to address the climate crisis by moving more people with fewer vehicles.

“The southern light rail option is our preferred choice for Wellington because of the significant potential it offers for new housing and neighbourhood growth. By 2050 we’re expecting up to 80,000 more people to be living within the city limits, and 25% more people coming into the central city each workday from across the region.”

Transport minister Michael Wood says the capital needs a linked-up rapid transit transport network serving Wellingtonians into the future.

“The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come. Our commitment to infrastructure investment will continue to play a critical part in securing New Zealand’s economy and recovery from COVID-19,” he explains.

The new announcement builds on the work underway across the city to improve transport choices, including transforming the Golden Mile, improving safety and urban attractiveness on Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road, and the construction of a roundabout on Aotea Quay, says Wood.

“Following agreement of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving partners, work will commence on a detailed business case. I know Wellingtonians are keen to see progress and we have asked the programme for options to fast track progress and early works, with consideration of phasing options.”

Wood says the business case will consider an alternative option of a rapid bus network on the light rail route.

“Fixing years of poor planning for population growth and delivering high-quality, world-class transport networks for our cities is a priority for this Government, and today’s decision is proof of our commitment to Poneke,” he adds.

“The data tells us that the costs of delaying this project for another decade will only see costs increase. Wellingtonians recognise the need for this investment, they want us to get on with it, and we are.”

The Government will await confirmation from partners around agreement to proceed with this option to the detailed business case phase, which will be considered by Cabinet.

The Green Party wants the Government to guarantee it will complete light rail and improve walking, cycling, and bus journeys across Wellington before digging new high-carbon tunnels.

“We are pleased light rail will finally be made a reality in Wellington. Bus priority routes, and a new dedicated walking and cycling tunnel are also to be welcomed. However, the Government’s preferred option for Let’s Get Wellington Moving is not the best for the climate overall. The tunnels will be high-carbon and high cost and could also delay the delivery of safe walking and cycling to the east,” says Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“The Government has said that the next step for Let’s Get Wellington Moving is to look at what transport projects could be prioritised. The Green Party is calling on the Government to guarantee that public and active transport will be transformed before the sod is turned on a longer tunnel at the Basin reserve.

“The unnecessary changes the Government wants to make to the Basin will have a tiny effect on travel times for car drivers. Official LGWM modelling shows that it saves about a minute and a half off a trip from Johnsonville to the airport at peak time compared to no change at the Basin.

“The reason for this is that the congestion just moves along to the next set of lights, the next bottleneck. Increasing capacity for cars will not make it easier to get around Wellington. It will simply move the congestion to another part of the city.”

National Party transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says the announcement shows fixing Wellington’s traffic congestion is going nowhere.

“After almost five years in Government and spending almost $40 million on consultants, all the Government has come up with is a ‘preferred option’ regarding rapid transit in Wellington.

“There is still no commitment from NZTA towards completing a business case, no funding agreement, and no plan to start construction until at least 2028.

“This is Auckland light rail 2.0, which Labour promised it would deliver to Mt Roskill by 2022, yet we still haven’t seen a spade hit the dirt.”