Andy Foster — Your City Councillor

ONSLOW-WESTERN

Sustainable transport is crucial because:

· We have little space to build new roads through the city

· Energy prices are rising and we need to build in as much ability to minimise energy use as possible

· Climate Change is real and we need to show leadership in responding to it, and soon.

I chaired the transport subcommittee which developed the City’s first transport strategy in 1994. Our direction has been consistent ever since, despite much debate, and an often substantial minority wanting a car dependent approach.

We work closely with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Government agencies like Transit, and public transport operators. Transport is a team effort. It also involves community organisations like Living Streets and Cycle Aware and the AA.

I was the Councillor involved in signing a Quality Partnership agreement with Stagecoach and Greater Wellington almost 10 years ago. It was joined by Mana – Newlands and subsequently Toll Rail and the Taxi Federation. It’s a valuable forum for discussing issues and getting them addressed.

Public transport use was in steady and sustained decline until 1992 (ironically the year I was elected). Since then it has grown at a faster rate than motor vehicle use at very least at peak times.

The reasons include:

· Investment in new buses by Stagecoach (now GO Wellington).

· Better bus timetabling and routes (eg through the city)

· Introduction of bus lanes by the City

· Funding support by Greater Wellington for public transport

· City parking policies favouring short term shopper/business visitor parking over commuter parking. Coupon Parking was part of that.

· Congestion

· Fuel pricing

· Public choice

Walking has also become increasingly popular. Having rapid growth of CBD living helps a lot here too. We are trying to improve access across the quays and around the CBD for pedestrians. We do have some safety challenges here.

Looking forward

· Greater Wellington and the Government have agreed a $500 million investment programme in new trains ($280 million) and addressing single track bottlenecks. This includes securing the future of the Johnsonville Line and new rolling stock.

· Ngauranga to Airport Study. Consultation is about to start on this critical planning work. It’s a joint project between Transit, Greater Wellington and Wellington City. Options are likely to include consideration of light rail into the CBD, bus enhancement, and increased road capacity, and mixes of all these ideas. This will be critical work for the shape of transport through the city.

· GO Wellington is investing in a new trolley bus fleet and low emission diesel buses.

· WCC has approved an indicative programme of bus lanes throughout the CBD and on key arterials. This will be challenging to deliver and not all will be worth doing. It will require political will. It is critical to buses keeping to timetables.

· Real time information. Encouraging Greater Wellington to invest in real time information. There is exciting work being done to make sure a new system is accessible to people who are blind, deaf or who do not speak English well.

· Integrated ticketing. One ticket on all modes. GWRC is working toward this too.

· Airport bus service. I’m keen to see a more frequent airport bus service which is more prominently placed at the airport and promoted at key bus stops through the city. It makes little sense and isn’t sustainable to have so many taxis clogging up Eastern suburbs roads when many passengers might prefer a cheaper more sustainable option.

· Real time parking information. At approaches to the CBD we should have parking information showing visitors where car-parking is available. This should be able to be done with support from building owners. It would build on the great initiative of Positively Wellington Tourism and Wilsons Carparking to open up 8 weekend carparks at a reduced rate for shoppers. (KNOW parking scheme)

Sustainable Transport

Transport and Urban Development are inextricably linked. Without good urban form we will have an unsustainable transport system. The car is a vital component of our transport system, but it is clear that we have to promote alternatives unless we wanted choked roads and choked environment.

I am not, and the Council is not ‘anti-car’ as some colleagues have said. That’s just throw away politicking.

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