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Wellington Railway Station. What the city according to critics needed was a continuous rail line from Wellington Railway Station into the city. Photo: JChristianson
Thumbs down for light rail in New Zealand
Published: Fri, 2014-11-07 11:02-
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Bigger buses instead of light rail
The city of Wellington rejected light rail. This kind of commuter transit is now off the table for the city. Even the formed supporter of light rail system, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown voted against it.
There was nevertheless several critical voices. Light rail advocate Brent Efford of Trams-Action said bus rapid transit was unworkable and the public transport debate would be had all over again in five years' time. "It's destined to fail. It's going to be over-capacity by the time it's started," he said. "It's an absurd situation."
What the city needed was a continuous rail line from Wellington Railway Station into the city, Mr Efford said. The current corridor ignored the needs of commuters from Wellington's northern suburbs and surrounding cities.
Bus rapid transit was backed recently by a cross-council committee appointed to assess public transport choice for the capital, with the $268 million option winning out against the $1.2 billion light rail option. Wellington's mounting population development meant by 2041 bus rapid transport may no longer cope with commuter demand, and if light rail was cheaper then, it could be introduced, she said. Bus priority features would be introduced this triennium.
Source: Dominion Post
Av Markku Björkman
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