FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25TH February 2015
Media Release: Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA)
Regional Council Labelled ‘Out of Touch’ After Cutting Key Bus Route
The Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) is deeply disappointed that Greater Wellington
Regional Council decided to proceed with cutting the number 18 bus route today - a key service connecting campuses.
VUWSA President, Rick Zwaan, said the move highlighted “how out of touch the Regional Council is with the concerns of
students and other citizens.”
“Since the move to cut the route was first proposed, we’ve been talking to hundreds of students, university staff and
other members of the public who have unanimously been very concerned that the regional council would cut such an
important route.”
The 18 route connects student suburbs of Newtown, Mt Cook with five campuses of the three universities in Wellington.
“It’s shocking that our elected representatives so brashly ignore the concerns of a group in their community that are in
need of support.”
“This is a move that has been celebrated internally within the council for the level of consultation that occurred and
yet after almost a year of dialogue we’re not seeing any indication that the council are willing to listen.”
“We even went to the extreme of having a public meeting on a bus, but still the concerns of passengers fell on deaf
ears”
When VUWSA addressed the council this morning they highlighted the value that students bring to the region and urged
councillors to recognise that.
“This week we’re welcoming thousands of new students to the city, and I would love to tell them how great our Regional
Council is in valuing the contribution we make to the region. Unfortunately I’m unable to do that.”
Zwaan highlighted that Victoria students collectively contribute over $200 million, in rent alone, to the region’s
economy.
“Students are ratepayers too, yet it appears that the council refuses to accept that they have any obligation to care
for them.”
ENDS