Metlink train & bus timetables from 20 February 2011

New timetables for all Metlink train services, all Kapiti and Porirua bus services and some Hutt Valley and Wairarapa bus services will take effect from Sunday 20 February.

The new timetables cater for the extension of commuter train services to Waikanae, improvements to Porirua bus services, and the introduction of the Matangi trains. The new trains are due to begin running on the Upper Hutt Line in late February.

“February 20 will go down as a very significant day in Wellington region’s rail history, as the new commuter service to Waikanae begins,” says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, which oversees public transport.

“This is a huge benefit to residents north of Paraparaumu who currently have only one train service into Wellington each day from Monday to Friday and no services on the weekend. From 20 February they will have 20 minute peak hour and half hourly off peak weekday services and a regular weekend service.”

There will be more peak hour train trips from Melling and Tawa and more Sunday morning trips between Johnsonville and Wellington. “I would urge all train commuters to make sure they pick up a copy of their new timetable from their local Metlink stockist or download one from the Metlink website, www.metlink.org.nz, and read it carefully as there are lots of changes. For example, from February 20 the only Hutt Valley peak hour trains that will stop at Ngauranga and Kaiwharawhara are those from Melling. So peak hour passengers on the Upper Hutt Line will need to transfer to reach those stations. ”

Cr Glensor said a small number of train services had been removed. “These are mainly extra Friday night services into Wellington that are a throwback from the very old days of late night shopping. These have been removed as there are plenty of regular services around the same time. The 4am Saturday service, the weekday 5am service from Plimmerton have been removed because only one or two people use these services and a few very early morning services between Paekakariki and Paraparaumu are no longer able to be run.

“Overall, the changes provide an increase in commuter train services.” Porirua bus service improvements, which also take effect from 20 February, include better bus and train connections, a direct bus service from Titahi Bay to Porirua East, changes to the bus route through Porirua CBD to make it easier for people to know where to catch buses from, later evening services to Titahi Bay and Whitby, a brand new bus service to Aotea and a door to door community bus service for Porirua East residents. All bus timetables for Otaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu will change from 20 February. The Otaki and Waikanae bus service will end at Waikanae Station so people wanting to travel to Paraparaumu, for instance, will need to transfer to the train. These passengers can buy a day return ticket that will be the same price as the current return bus fare to Paraparaumu. Both Otaki and Waikanae will have an extra early morning bus service and Waikanae residents are now included in the KapitiPlus scheme, where holders of monthly rail passes can travel on the bus to and from Waikanae Station at no extra cost.

Wairarapa and Hutt Valley bus timetables are also changing slightly and there are some minor changes to the Wairarapa train timetables.

There are no changes to GO Wellington and most Newlands Coach Service timetables and services.

More details about the timetable and other changes, as well as frequently asked questions and answers, are on the Metlink website, www.metlink.org.nz

ENDS

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