Metlink Public Transport

Greater Wellington’s Metlink Public Transport activities achieved 23 percent of their 13 performance measures this year.

What we deliver for public transport 

Greater Wellington manages the Metlink Public Transport network and delivers public transport services to the region. We deliver services across an integrated network of bus routes, five passenger rail lines, the harbour ferries, and Total Mobility services. Passengers, ratepayers, and road users fund these services through fares, rates, and a subsidy from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). We are also responsible for developing and maintaining public transport infrastructure including railway stations, train maintenance depots, bus and ferry shelters, signs, and Park & Ride facilities.

Delivering reliable bus services and record-breaking patronage

Bus services continue to improve, with 26,133,096 passenger trips this year – the highest on record. The busiest month was May 2024 with 2.56 million passenger trips, compared to the previous high of 2.49 million passenger trips in May 2019. As a result of significant work between Greater Wellington and our two largest bus operators, we were able to reinstate all 181 temporarily-suspended bus services. Increasing the number of bus drivers was vital to restoring our ability to provide reliable services.

Our work this year went beyond just restoring existing services. The new Airport Express is exceeding expectations for ridership, and the new Route 4 bus provides better access to Wellington CBD, Wellington Regional Hospital and Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Kelburn campus for Strathmore Park and Wilton residents.

Changing how we connect with public transport: safety, accessibility, and storytelling

The Accessibility Action Plan (AAP) was presented to the Transport Committee, outlining our network-wide strategies to improve accessibility to the public transport network and was developed following significant engagement with the disability community.

We are also advancing how people connect with public transport services. In October, Warranted Transport Officers (WTOs) became part of the Metlink public transport network to support passengers with their journeys.  Upgrades at Plimmerton Station have made services more efficient, with morning express trains from Waikanae operating from a new platform. Upgrades to the Naenae Station subway have created a safer and more accessible path for pedestrians and train passengers, while also connecting people to the history of the area. Features such as improved signage and CCTV coverage improve safety, while art installations tell the origin stories of the Waiwhetu and Te Awamutu rivers, and Te Ngaengae, the freshwater lake in Naenae. The new Living Pā bus shelter at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington incorporates design and storytelling to connect bus riders to local history. Metlink worked with Te Herenga Waka and Ngāti Toa Rangatira to develop this purpose-built bus shelter.    

Planning for future transport needs

With a revitalised level of service in place now, we are also looking ahead to an expanded public transport network that delivers efficient services while also reducing emissions.  

In May, the Council agreed to enter into a partnership agreement with Wellington City Council to deliver bus prioritisation on major bus corridors through Wellington, as well as a programme led by Greater Welligton to develop a regional plan for rapid transit bus travel.  

A shortlist of respondents has been confirmed to the Expressions of Interest (EOI) for proposals to design, build and maintain 18 x 4-car low-emission passenger rail trains to improve services on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines. This has been a highlight of partnership with central Government, with a major co-funding agreement now in place.

Uncertainty for Government public transport support

Government changes have resulted in uncertainty for public transport funding, as the signalled reductions in public transport funding could significantly impact on our region’s ability to maintain and improve public transport services.  

We are working closely with NZTA to review and adjust funding bids to reflect new Government priorities, but change is likely to continue and presents a challenge to planning and funding public transport, which often requires planning years in advance to keep pace with the changing needs of passengers. Funding constraints have resulted in some projects being put on hold, such as the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Trial.

Funding uncertainties pose future challenges for the public transport system. In the short term, we have implemented a number of cost- saving measures including fare increases, operating savings and maximising capacity of existing services to reduce cost pressures.

Government changes to the Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) under the Transport Choices programme meant that projects were to be put on hold, and would not receive further funding. The Government also announced changes to the Community Connect Concessions Scheme, ending Crown funding for free fares for 5-12-year-olds and half-price fares for 13-24-year-olds on public transport on 30 April 2024.

Following direction from the central Government, the Let’s Get Wellington Moving project team agreed to formally wind up the partnership but committed to carry some aspects of the project into other work programmes. These projects include improvements to the Golden Mile, Hutt Road-Thorndon Quay, the Basin and second Mt Victoria tunnel, and bus priority initiatives.

Operating rail services on an aging rail network

The Wellington Metropolitan Rail Network is in a state of decline, requiring further Crown funding and investment in maintenance by KiwiRail. Without this investment and upkeep, we are unable to reliably operate our passenger rail at the planned level of service. Greater Wellington identified a number of potential actions to undertake to help resolve the situation including Government advocacy and consideration of potential service reductions that may be required.