Hon Phil Twyford
Minister of Transport
MEDIA STATEMENT
16 May 2019
The Government has endorsed the Let’s Get Wellington Moving indicative package to ease congestion in our capital city,
Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today.
Phil Twyford said our Government is tackling the long-term issues and this 20 year plan is a step change for transport
in Wellington.
“We’ll reduce congestion by integrating modern rapid transit, walking and cycling upgrades, and better public transport
with the city’s motorways and roads.
“Better public transport infrastructure and more services will encourage people out of their cars – freeing up the roads
for those that have to drive.
“By unlocking the Basin Reserve and making streets more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, we’ll have a more liveable city
that’s safer to get around.
“LGWM will help boost growth and encourage more housing, especially along the rapid transit corridor.
“The capital’s waterfront CBD is a national treasure. It is a job rich high-productivity economic powerhouse for the
region. LGWM will unleash its potential and make it a magnet for investment after years of underinvestment.
“We can’t do everything at once and my expectation is that congestion-busting projects like rapid transit will be
prioritised over motorway projects.
“We know that only by taking a joined-up regional approach will we unlock Wellington’s potential. That’s why we have
allowed an estimated $4 billion for other regional transport projects.
“The next step is for the Wellington City Council and regional councils to endorse and commit to funding their share of
the $6.4 billion plan. The total cost of the LGWM indicative package is split 60:40 between central government and local
government to reflect the wider local benefits of the package,” Phil Twyford said.
The components of the LGWM indicative package:
ComponentDescriptionA walkable cityAccessibility and amenity improvements, setting safer speeds for vehicles, with further walking improvements included in
major components below.Connected cyclewaysCycleways on Featherston St, Thorndon Quay, Courtenay place – Dixon St, Taranaki St, Willis St, Victoria St, Kent and
Cambridge Terrace and Bowen St.Public transport to and through the cityDual public transport spine through the central city on the Golden Mile and Waterfront Quays; rail network improvements;
and bus priority on Thorndon Quay and Hutt RdSmarter transport networkFull integrated ticketing; transition to integrated transport network operating systems; travel demand management
measures including Mobility as a Service, parking policy improvements and education and engagementRapid transitProvide rapid transit as part of the wider public transport network from the railway station to Newtown and to the
airport. The design and preferred mode of rapid transit will be determined by the business case.Unblocking the Basin ReserveAt-grade changes to improve reliable access for all modes; and grade separation between north-south movements, east-west
movements and any rapid transit corridors.Extra Mount Victoria Tunnel Extra Mount Victoria Tunnel and widening Ruahine St and Wellington Rd to improve access for public transport and enable
dedicated walking and cycling routes.
If endorsed and funded by the relevant Councils, the components of the package will go through the normal NZ Transport
Agency project business case process. More details of the individual components will be announced in the future and the
particulars of the components may change from the above.
Link to video of the rapid transit here.
ends