Greens’ ‘electric bus in Wellington’ transport plan

The Green Party’s Wellington government candidates are set to unveil a new transport plan if re-elected, with one of the focal points being that the city’s congestion won’t be solved by a few expensive motorway projects.

“We need investment in fast, clean and affordable public transport, and we need Green councillors to make that happen,” says Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

Wellington regional councillor Sue Kedgley says replacing polluting, noisy diesel buses with modern electric buses within 10 years, as well as introducing light rail, will make the city centre more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists and increase bus patronage, which has plateaued for several years.

“Having invested millions in upgrading our train services, we now need a similar level of investment in our bus services,” she says.

Wellington regional councillor Paul Bruce says the Greens will introduce a 25% discount on buses off-peak, 50% off-peak student discounts, and free bus transfers in response to public concern about the cost of public transport.

Wellington city councillor Sarah Free says all transport hubs in Wellington should be warm and sheltered and have free WiFi. “We will also bring on an electric revolution. With a fully electric bus fleet, light rail and more electric car charging stations, Wellington can be the electric vehicle capital of Australasia,” she says.

According to Wellington City Councillor Iona Pannett, many policies announced by other candidates so far rely on outdated 20th century ways of thinking. “As global temperatures increase, we need more people walking, cycling and taking public transport and green spaces and less asphalt,” she says.

“Introducing 30km and 40km speed limits throughout the city will make it safer and easier to walk and cycle, especially for kids. We can afford all these initiatives if money is reallocated from the National Roads of Significance programme.”

The Green Party’s Wellington transport action plan will be launched at the Sustainability Trust on Wellington’s Forresters Lane, Te Aro, tonight at 6.30pm.