Metlink News

Changes to Johnsonville train services

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300

As a result of extensive mechanical issues with the English Electric trains that operate on the Johnsonville line and customer calls for more service consistency, a decision has been made by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Tranz Metro to use a combination of trains and express bus services in the morning peak to assist with reduced capacity on trains until Matangi are introduced on the line on Monday 19 March.

Tranz Metro will operate the usual timetabled services on the Johnsonville line using three trains (one four-car train and two two-car trains), supplementing the 7:46am and 7:58am train services from Johnsonville to Wellington with an express bus. There will also be an express bus that leaves Crofton Downs at 8:00am to assist with passenger numbers at that station.

The buses will be express to Wellington, while the trains will make their usual stops.

In addition to the usual train services, these buses will be running at the same time every weekday over the next six weeks.

“Lower passenger numbers on the other services means we will have enough trains to cope with demand. However, we will continue to monitor passenger numbers and extra bus services may be required on some occasions to cope with extra demand,” says Tranz Metro Manager Scott Brooks.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council's Economic Wellbeing Committee, says the English Electric trains operating on the Johnsonville line are more than 60 years old and beyond their economic life. “After years of sterling service, we have had to recently de-commission some of them due to the extent and cost of the mechanical work required. It is simply uneconomical to pay for the repairs, which could run into the hundreds of thousands, only to have them operating on the line for a very short period of time. I’m sure ratepayers would agree that this is not good use of our funds.”

“We know the disruption Johnsonville commuters have experienced must be frustrating. We are doing the best we can to minimise disruption by implementing a regular and consistent solution to our English Electric shortage. Tranz Metro is looking forward to the introduction of the Matangi trains in six weeks’ time when all English Electrics will be removed, and we will be able to offer passengers a more efficient, comfortable and reliable service,” Mr Brooks says.

Extra train services for Wellington Cup Day - 28 January 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +1300

Tranz Metro is putting on extra services to get you out to Trentham and back to Wellington on 28 January 2012.

Check out the TranzMetro website for more details.

Upgrade work at Kenepuru Station completed

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +1300

Essential repairs and reconstruction at Kenepuru Station on the Kapiti Line have been completed, with the station reopening this morning.

Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail contracted Aurecon to carry out the work over the Christmas break to further ensure passengers’ safety and improve access.

The upgrade ran to schedule and took four weeks to complete. It included resurfacing of both platforms, strengthening of the southbound platform frontage and upgrading the main access path on the southbound side to prevent any further erosion.

Tranz Metro Manager Scott Brooks says KiwiRail and Greater Wellington Regional Council are grateful for the tolerance of commuters and residents living near Kenepuru Station. “While we are pleased that the work was completed to schedule and a good chunk of it was completed during the Christmas block of line, we know that commuters have had to use alternative stations over the last two weeks,” Mr Brooks says.

“With the reopening of the upgraded Kenepuru Station, residents will benefit from a safer, more accessible railway station,” says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council's Economic Wellbeing Committee.

Train $2 Day - Thursday 26 January 2012

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +1300

Thursday, 26 January 2012 is $2 Day. For just $2 you can go for it and ride the Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Johnsonville line trains as much as you want.

$2 Day services depart their originating stations between 9am and 3pm*.
For example, the Kapiti line service from Plimmerton for Wellington at 9:01am is NOT a $2 day service as it leaves Waikanae at 8:30am.

Tickets can be purchased on Thursday 26 January either from a TranzMetro ticket office or from Tranz Metro staff on-board the train.

*Excludes Wairarapa services.

Metlink News- Issue 19

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Welcome to the December 2011 issue of Metlink News

In this issue you can read about Christmas timetables, Real Time Information rolling out to the Hutt Valley and the fare structure review. There’s also information about all of the reviews and consultations in progress along with how RWC 2011 went for Metlink.

You can also view the web-friendly PDF: Metlink news 19

In this issue:

Christmas timetables – pick up your copy

Metlink bus, train and harbour ferry services will run reduced services over Christmas. Normal weekday services will resume on Monday 9 January 2012. This is a longer period than normal so make sure you pick up a copy of the Metlink Christmas timetables and plan your travel carefully.

Timetables are available at www.metlink.org.nz or you can pick up a copy from your local Metlink stockist.

Throughout the Christmas period, most trains will be replaced by buses to enable essential maintenance work to be carried out. Cycles, other than folding cycles, cannot be carried when
buses replace trains.

Metlink Information Line Christmas hours

The Metlink Information Line will operate reduced hours over Christmas. On Christmas Eve the information line will be open from 8am – 8pm. It will be closed on Christmas Day and from Boxing Day until Thursday 5 January 2012 it will be open from 8am – 8pm.

Ganz Mavag refurbishment

The refurbishment of the fleet of Ganz Mavag trains, which run on the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Lines, will get under way next year. Even when all the new Matangi trains are in service, Ganz Mavag units will still be needed to meet demand for morning and evening peak services. NZTA is assisting with funding for the refurbishment, as part of the Wellington metro rail package.

Real Time Information rolls out to the Hutt

Real Time Information (RTI) is becoming available progressively for Valley Flyer services. More display screens at key Hutt Valley bus stops and interchanges will be installed over the next month. About 70 RTI screens are up and running in Wellington City and suburbs. Installation of RTI ‘totem’ displays on the Golden Mile – Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Courtenay Place - has been delayed due to a pedestrian safety review of the area.
RTI will be available for Mana and Newlands buses next year after the Valley Flyer rollout has finished. It will be available for train services after this.

Better bus services for Otaki

Thanks to all of you who gave your feedback recently
on proposals for improving public transport services in the Otaki area. The feedback is now being analysed and will be very helpful for putting the final changes together. The changes will be carried out early next year. More information will be available in February on www.gw.govt.nz/otakireview

Fare Structure Review: Q & As

A review of the Metlink fare structure is about to start. Below are some questions and answers.

Q: What is the review?

A: The review will look at how fares are calculated, ways of paying fares (e.g. cash, stored value card, multi-trip tickets), discounts on multi-trip fares and concessions. The review will investigate how all these things work currently, it will consider alternatives and recommend changes.

Q: Why is it happening?

A: Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Annual Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan both require this review to be done. Plus, it makes great common and economic sense to have a look at the fare structure every few years to make sure it’s as effective as possible. It will also help ensure it’s meeting the needs of passengers and operators as well as it can, and that it’s keeping up with technological developments and changes.

Q: What’s involved in the review process?

A: Research will be done and options for changes will be developed in the next few months. There will be two rounds of public consultation next year. You’ll be asked for your feedback on the options in April or May 2012; there’ll be more consultation on a preferred option around the middle of the year.

Q: When will changes from the review be put in place?

A: Changes will begin to be put in place towards the end of 2012. The last fare structure review, carried out in 2005/06, led to the creation of the zone structure that we currently have, so the changes could be substantial and take some time to take effect. For example, any changes are likely to have implications for operator contracts so they’ll need to be negotiated. Other changes may depend on other improvements happening first, such as network-wide electronic ticketing.

Wellington City bus changes – tell us what you think

Major changes are being proposed for Wellington City bus services – make sure you have your say. Information will be sent to all households in Wellington City in early February and details will be on Greater Wellington’s website around the same time.

More Matangi in service

More passengers are enjoying travelling on the new Matangi trains, now that the number of services has increased considerably. Thirty return services are being run by Matangi trains each weekday on the Hutt and Kapiti Lines. Nearly sixty per cent of the new fleet has now arrived in New Zealand and twenty-one of the 28 two-car units in Wellington have been approved for service. Two units will continue to be used for staff training up until the middle of next year. The new trains are due to begin running on the Johnsonville Line from March. When this happens, Johnsonville Line will have only Matangi trains running on it.

Strengthening Wellington’s public transport spine

More than 1000 people took part in the recent online survey about public transport in central Wellington. The survey is part of a major study to develop
feasible options for a high quality, high frequency public transport system between Wellington Station and Wellington Regional Hospital in Newtown.
You can find out more information about the study
at www.haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/ptspinestudy

Wairarapa train and bus review

More than 700 responses to a Wairarapa train survey and almost 400 submissions are being investigated as part of a review of Wairarapa public transport services.

Feedback on rail services included:

• A need to provide more capacity on each peak service

• A desire for more off-peak services during the week and at weekends

• A need for more convenient peak hour evening departure times.

Feedback on bus services included:

• A need for better connections between some of the bus services

• A need for better connections between the buses
and trains

• A desire for a bus service to Masterton East.

Options and solutions to the issues that have been raised are being worked through with the operators - KiwiRail and Tranzit Coachlines. Changes to bus services will be seen first as they are relatively simpler to implement. Further consultation is required before changes can be made to rail services.

A report recommending improvements to Wairarapa public transport services will be produced early next year.

Regional Public Transport Plan

If you’re interested in ‘big picture’ public transport issues, what bus, train and ferry services are provided and how they’re funded, the information is now at your fingertips via the Regional Public Transport Plan. The 10-year plan, developed in close consultation with passengers, residents, stakeholders and transport operators, was adopted by Greater Wellington recently. You can find out more about it and download it at www.gw.govt.nz/ptplan

RWC 2011 saw patronage soar

Although it seems like a distant memory now, the Rugby World Cup 2011 was an enormous success in Wellington, due in no small part to the very effective public transport systems. Tourists and locals alike commented on how easy it was to get to and from the stadium and the fan zone. As with all stadium events, bus shuttles and extra services put on by bus operators were very well patronised. Huge numbers of people took the train – and an eight-car Matangi made its debut. The event showed us how good our public transport network can be – our goal at Metlink is to make that a regular experience for all commuters.

Merry Christmas!

Everyone at Metlink wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas, a happy, relaxing and safe holiday and all the very best for 2012.

Public transport fare structure under the spotlight

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Greater Wellington Regional Council is about to begin a review of how bus, train and harbour ferry fares are calculated.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, says the review will look at how fares are calculated now and will explore changes and alternatives.

“We’re looking at how fares are set, not the levels or amounts. The last fare structure review, for instance, which was done six years ago, resulted in our current zoning system which bases fares on distance travelled. So we’ll be seeing how well that system is working, whether changes are needed and what those changes might be.

“We’ll also be looking at the mechanisms for paying fares such as cash, tickets and stored value cards. Council’s priority is to move to integrated ticketing, where you pay for all your public transport travel with just the one card. But to get to that step, you need to have electronic ticketing in place so we’ve got some way to go with that, particularly for train travel.”

Discounts for smart cards and multi-trip tickets will also be reviewed; currently Greater Wellington requires operators to give a discount of at least 20 per cent on stored value cards and multi-trip tickets.

“And last, but not least, we’ll be looking at the kinds of concessions that we offer and whether these need to be changed or more added. Currently we have concessions for children, who pay half a standard adult fare, and for some off-peak travel.”

SuperGold card holders get free off-peak travel on public transport but this concession is funded by central government, not Greater Wellington.

“We know that tertiary students, for example, want concessions but there are various ways that concessions can be applied such as for those who travel at off peak versus peak, or for people on low incomes. All the pros and cons need to be explored thoroughly.”

Cr Glensor says the review will be carried out within the constraints of Greater Wellington’s limited transport budget and its farebox recovery policy which requires public transport users, i.e. fare payers, to contribute about 55% of the Council’s public transport costs.

“Some of our main concerns underpinning this review are to make the most of technological improvements with fare mechanisms and to make sure that, as far as possible, people pay their fair share on public transport.”

After the current structure has been reviewed and alternatives explored people will be asked, probably about May next year, for their opinion of some proposed changes.

The review is expected to be completed and changes will begin to be put in place towards the end of 2012.

Christmas services - effective from 25 December 2011

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Reduced bus, train and harbour ferry services will operate over the holiday period.

Normal weekday services will resume on Monday 9 January, please be aware that this is a longer period than normal.

Please note that Kenepuru Station will be closed from 26 December 2011 to 24 January 2012 for station upgrade work.

You can find all the information you need about Christmas timetables here;

Timetables.

Below you can find all of the Christmas and New Year holiday timetables as easy to print PDFs. These can also be picked up from your local Metlink timetable outlet.

Summary Grid - overview of what's happening
Wellington City buses - Go Wellington services
Hutt Valley buses - Valley Flyer and Airport Flyer services
Johnsonville, Tawa, Porirua and Kapiti buses - Mana, Newlands, and UZABUS (Otaki) services
Wellington Harbour Ferry
Hutt Valley and Melling Train Lines
Kapiti Train Line
Johnsonville Train Line
Wairarapa bus and train timetable

Buses replace trains

Saturday 24 December

Last train services are as follows. Services after these times will be replaced by bus.

Kapiti Line

To Waikanae: Departs Wellington at 7.14pm
To Wellington: Departs Waikanae at 6.30pm

Johnsonville Line

To Johnsonville: Departs Wellington at 7.02pm
To Wellington: Departs Johnsonville at 7.30pm

Hutt Valley Line

To Upper Hutt: Departs Wellington at 7.05pm
To Wellington: Departs Upper Hutt at 6.30pm

Wairarapa line:

To Wairarapa: Departs Wellington at 6.55pm

25 December 2011 - 3 January 2012

All of Hutt Valley Line
All of Melling Line
Wairarapa Line between Wellington and Petone
All of Johnsonville Line
All of Kapiti Line
All of Capital Connection Line

4 - 8 January 2012

All of Kapiti Line
All of Capital Connection Line

Metlink information line

Operating hours for the Metlink information line over Christmas and New Year are as follows:

Christmas Eve 8am - 8pm
Christmas Day closed
Monday 26 December 2011 - Wednesday 4 January 2012 8am - 8pm

SuperGold

SuperGold card holders can travel free on Metlink off-peak services.

Weekday off-peak travel is 9am-3pm and after 6.30pm.

Off-peak also applies all day on weekend and public holiday services. Over the Christmas period when special timetables operate these conditions still apply. For example, if a Saturday timetable is running on a Wednesday you can only travel for free during the specified times.

Have your say on Otaki public transport options

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Otaki, Peka Peka and Te Horo residents are being asked for their feedback on proposed changes to public transport services.

Greater Wellington Regional Council began a review of bus services in the area around the middle of the year. People were asked then how they thought services could be improved.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, which oversees public transport, says more than 150 submissions were received. “These have been analysed and form the basis for some options for changes to services.

“People told us what they wanted most was more choice of travel times during the day. Many also indicated they wanted some daytime buses continuing to Coastlands instead of stopping at Waikanae Station to connect with the train.

“We’ve made it clear in previous consultation that our funding is very limited. So if we want to provide more services at particular times of the day, we have to remove some poorly used services. For example there are a small number of bus services that run between Otaki and Waikanae that either are empty most days or have only one or two passengers other days.”

Peter Glensor said people would be asked about two particular options for weekday services and two options for weekend services. “We can provide, for example, an additional mid-morning weekday service running from Waikanae to Otaki and back to Waikanae or we can provide one return shopper service between Otaki and Coastlands each weekday.

“For weekend services we are proposing a more frequent Saturday bus service running every two hours between Otaki and Waikanae from 8.45 to 4.45pm, or we can provide new Sunday services from Otaki to Waikanae and less frequent Saturday services.

“People are being asked to make a choice; we can’t afford to do everything that everyone wants, so we are very keen to hear what options people prefer.”

People can give their feedback by completing the form online at www.gw.govt.nz/otakireview or filling out the form in the brochure, available from Otaki library, buses or local Metlink stockists.

People have until Sunday 11 December to give their feedback.

The changes will be finalised and put in place in 2012.

Porirua East community bus service ends 28 October 2011

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1300

The Porirua door-to-door bus service will take its last passengers next Friday ( 28 October 2011).

The service, which runs between Porirua East and Porirua CBD, started as a trial in February this year. Like shopper bus services in Kapiti and Wellington City people phone and book a seat on the bus and it picks them up from home, drops them off at their chosen destination and they can catch it back home later.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, which oversees public transport, says the trial had not been successful. “There have been on average around two passengers per return service and we need at least four passengers to make it viable.

“Consequently we’ve been running the service at a huge loss: the projected yearly costs are $105,000 and projected yearly fare revenue is $6,000. That’s totally unsustainable and not a sensible spend of ratepayers’ money.”

Cr Glensor says everyone who uses the service regularly has been contacted personally and advised the service will no longer be available. “They’ve been very understanding and, where possible, we’ve tried to find other transport options for them such as our Total Mobility scheme.” Total Mobility is a subsidised taxi service for people with permanent disabilities who cannot access public transport.

“We had really hoped this service would be popular. A bus that picks you up from outside your door and drops you back there is fabulous, but unfortunately there just doesn’t seem to have been any demand for it.”

Public transport fares increase from 1 November 2011

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +1300

Many Wellington bus and train fares will increase from 1 November 2011 to meet increasing public transport costs.

The increase was due to take effect from 1 September but was postponed because negotiations with some operators took longer than expected.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee which oversees public transport, says the focus of this year’s fare increase is on multi-trip or stored value card (e.g. Snapper) fares. Approximately two thirds of all public transport trips are made with multi-trip tickets or cards. “These fares will increase generally by about five percent, which will give us an overall increase in revenue of about three percent. This will allow us to keep rates down.”

He said the Council decided a few years ago to try and increase different fares in different years to ensure the impact of fare increases was as fair as possible. “Last year, the fares for single cash trips and trips for more than 11 zones increased. Fares also increased to reflect the new GST rate. This year we’re increasing multi-trip fares.”

Historic Johnsonville train fare anomalies will also be removed from 1 November. “This brings Johnsonville fares into line with all other standard three zone fares. It also reflects the investment that has been made in the line in recent years.”

Special stadium train fares will increase by $2 per round trip for adults and $1 for children.

Cr Glensor said the minimum fare on the Wairarapa train for journeys from Upper Hutt, Waterloo and Petone to Wellington has been removed permanently. “It was removed temporarily earlier this year when we were experiencing serious overcrowding problems on the Hutt Valley Line. Clearly the change was well received and does not seem to have caused any problems for Wairarapa passengers so the minimum fare will not be reinstated on these trips.” The Wairarapa train minimum fare remains in place for all journeys from Wellington to the Hutt Valley.

He said fare increases were needed to meet ongoing and increasing costs of Wellington’s public transport network. “We know, and have had this reiterated to us earlier this year through submissions on the annual plan, that one of the things people in the Wellington region want most of all is a high quality, modern and convenient public transport network. As a Council we are absolutely committed to providing this but for a relatively small population such as Wellington’s the costs are huge. We try, through regular fare increases, to share these costs as fairly as possible.”

He said the fare increase was also in line with the Council’s farebox recovery policy which aims to ensure that about half of the costs of public transport are met through fares. Ratepayers and taxpayers pay for the other half.

For more information about the fare changes:

Information is already available on the Metlink website under 'Tickets and Fares' .
Pick up a copy of the new Metlink Fares and Tickets brochure, available from Metlink timetable stockists from Monday 17 October

When are the fares going up?

1 November 2011.

Why didn’t the fare increase go ahead on 1 September 2011?

It was postponed because negotiations with operators about the fare increases are took longer than expected.

Why are fares going up?

To meet the increasing costs of providing public transport. The costs of providing public transport services have been going up by about 3% every year. These costs are shared by ratepayers, central government and passengers. Council’s policy is that passenger fares should make up between 50 – 55% of the costs. An increase of about 3% in fares is required to keep this balance.

How much are fares going up by?

The average increase is 3% but not all fares are increasing. Most (but not all) cash fares are not changing. Most (but not all) multi-trip ticket prices are going up by about 5%.

Why isn’t the fare increase an across-the-board percentage increase?

Cash fares increased in 2010, so this year it is the turn of multi-trip tickets to increase.

It’s not possible to increase all fares by the same across-the-board percentage figure. This is because Greater Wellington’s policy is that cash fares must be rounded to the nearest 50c to make cash handling easy for passengers, train guards and bus drivers. It also speeds up bus boarding times. An increase of 3%, for example, on a $3 bus fare would amount to $3.09, which does not meet current cash-handling requirements and our policy.

Why are multi-trip fares going up and not cash fares?

At the 2010 increase, it was the cash fares that were increased, and the multi-trip fares did not increase. This year the opposite is happening, so that the impact of fare increases is shared as evenly as possible.

Why are some of the Johnsonville fares being deleted?

Three of the fares that applied only on the Johnsonville rail line have been deleted. These are the Peace Train monthly, the 3 zone monthly and the school term pass. These three fares are historical oddities that exist for no particular rhyme or reason. Removing them helps make the overall fare structure easier to understand. Johnsonville Line monthly and term passes will still be available, but they will be at the same price as on the other rail lines. This will result in a small price increase.

Why are some fares going up by more than 5%?

Rounding and the need to maintain relativity between fares has meant that some multi-trip fares are increasing by slightly more than 5%. But most multi-trip fares are increasing by 5%

Some of the special fares are increasing by more than 5%. For example the special rail tickets to special events at the Westpac Stadium are increasing by $1 per trip for adults and $0.50 for children. These fares have been low compared to the standard fare on the line.

Other special fares such as the Day Rover, Weekend Rover and Group Rover tickets, and the after-midnight fares, are not increasing.

Fares increased last year for all 10-14 zone trips (affecting mostly users of the Wairarapa train), so why are those fares increasing again this year?

Yes, cash and multi-trip tickets for 10-14 zone trips went up last year, and are going up again this year.

For many years fares for zone 10-14 trips have been lower on a per-kilometre basis than all other fares. This anomaly has now been corrected.

Are harbour ferry fares increasing?

No. These increased last year and are not increasing this year.

Are the Airport Flyer fares increasing?

No. These increased last year and are not increasing this year.

What about free Super Gold card travel?

Super Gold card holders will continue to travel free on public transport during off-peak times.

When will the new prices for monthly and school term passes take effect?

The fare increases will take effect from 1 November 2011. All fare products that are valid for first use before 1 November will be sold at the old price (including Runciman Commuter monthly and all school term passes that are also valid for travel after 1 November).

Passes valid for first use on or after 1 November but bought before that date, will be sold at the new price. This means that, for example, monthly passes for November will be sold at the new price.

Cash and ten-trip tickets sold in October at the old price can be used after 1 November.

All tickets and passes bought from 1 November will be sold at the new price.

Is a fare increase going to be a regular yearly event?

Yes, fares will be reviewed every year. Given that costs of public transport, like all other costs, seem to increase every year, then it is likely that fare increases will become an annual occurrence.

Metlink News- Issue 18

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Welcome to the September 2011 issue of Metlink News

In this issue you can read about the Wellington metro rail agreement and a new feedback feature on the Metlink website. Get up-to-date with the Real Time Information roll out, the postponed fare increase and Matangi trains starting on the Kapiti Line.

You can also view the web-friendly PDF: Metlink News Issue 18

In this issue:

Fare increase postponed

The fare increase proposed to take effect from 1 September has been postponed due to negotiations with some operators taking longer than expected. It is likely that the fare increase will take effect later this year. If you have already bought a September monthly rail pass at the higher price you can get a refund from the Tranz Metro Ticket Office at Wellington Station.

The proposed fare increase involves a 5% increase to stored value cards, 10-trip tickets and monthly passes for buses and trains. There are also changes to some special Johnsonville train fares and cash fares for zones 10–14 (between Wellington and Waikanae and Wairarapa).

There will be no changes to all other fares set by Greater Wellington.

The fare increase will generate an increase of about 3% in overall revenue and will help meet rising costs of public transport.

Getting around rugby town

Rugby World Cup 2011 has come to Wellington! There are diversions and road closures in Wellington before and after the games at the Wellington Regional Stadium. Information on the easiest ways to get around Wellington, diversions in place for buses and all other public transport arrangements to and from the matches are here on the website. Or you can call the Metlink Information Line on 0800 801 700. Enjoy the action!

Metlink’s new feedback feature

It’s now easier for you to give us feedback on Metlink services or the website. You can’t miss the big purple button on the right hand side of the page. Of course, we want to hear about any problems you encounter with our services or website. We’d also love to hear from you when services have been particularly good or if there’s a feature on the website that you find really useful. Feedback on problems helps us to fix them and compliments let us know what’s working well and what you’d like more of. So click on that purple button and keep that feedback coming.

Matangi come to Kapiti

Thousands of train commuters on the Kapiti Line are now enjoying the Matangi trains. Prime Minister John Key launched the start of Matangi peak hour runs when he visited Paraparaumu and Waikanae Stations last month.

The new trains have been running on the Hutt Valley Line since February and will begin running on the Johnsonville Line early next year. Forty-two cars, more than 40% of the Matangi fleet, are now in Wellington. Twenty-six cars, that’s 13 two-car sets, have been commissioned and are available for service.

We’re continuing to get very positive feedback from passengers about the new trains. They’re enjoying the comfortable, modern feel and the quieter smoother ride. The trains are air-conditioned, have high quality passenger information display and audio information systems, and a special low floor area for less able-bodied passengers, those in wheelchairs and those with buggies.

Real time information rolls out

The first of the Real Time Information (RTI) totems on the Golden Mile in Wellington CBD has been installed. The totem is on Manners Street outside Burger King. More than 50 on-street display screens are up and running around Wellington City and suburbs.

RTI tells you, via Global Positioning System equipment on vehicles, when your next bus or train will arrive. As well as on-street displays, RTI is available for GO Wellington buses on the Metlink website and through smart phones.

RTI is expected to be available for Valley Flyer buses within the next month, followed by Newlands and Mana Coach Services towards the end of the year, and trains in 2012.

Spring to the Street

You’re just in time to sign up for Spring to the Street – an online sustainable transport challenge, free for all workplaces in the Wellington region. From September 19 – October 9 individuals, teams and workplaces compete to make the highest number of ‘street-friendly’ trips – by bus, train, harbour ferry, on foot, by bike, or carpooling. There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including an overnight stay for two on Kapiti Island and lunch for your team at Logan Brown.

Give your car a Spring break and explore new ways to get around.

To register, and for more information, check out www.springtothestreet.org.nz

Better bus services for Wellington City

You’ll shortly have the chance to tell us what you think of proposals to improve bus services in Wellington City, south of Grenada North. The proposed changes have come out of a major review which started in late 2009. Since then there has been public consultation, a series of focus groups, and extensive discussion and consultation with bus operators and other stakeholders. Look out for further information letting you know about the changes and how you can have your say.

The Wellington City bus service review focuses on trolley and diesel bus services, including school and shopper buses. It also looks at how these services connect with the Johnsonville railway line, harbour ferry routes within Wellington and the Wellington Cable Car. One of the aims of the review is to reduce bus congestion in the CBD and improve bus travel times.

WelTec Express

If you live in Wellington’s northern suburbs and are a student then you need to know about the WelTec Express bus. The bus leaves Porirua Station just before 7 each weekday morning, stops at Tawa, Johnsonville and Ngauranga on the way to Petone, arriving at WelTec at 7.45am. The return trip leaves WelTec at 4.45pm. The bus runs only during the WelTec terms 1 and 2. For more information, pick up a timetable from WelTec or your local Metlink timetable stockist.

Wellington metro rail agreement: Q & As

In July Greater Wellington Regional Council, Greater Wellington Rail Limited (a company owned by Greater Wellington) and KiwiRail signed an agreement transferring the ownership of substantial rail assets from KiwiRail to Greater Wellington.

Q: What does the agreement involve?

A: The agreement:

– Transfers, from KiwiRail to Greater Wellington Rail Limited, ownership of the fleets of Ganz Mavag and English Electric units, which means that the company now owns all of Wellington’s metropolitan passenger fleet.

– Transfers, from KiwiRail to Greater Wellington Rail Limited, ownership of the electric unit maintenance depot and all railway stations in the region apart from Wellington Railway Station.

– Ensures that Greater Wellington and KiwiRail will together develop performance-based network, operating and rolling stock maintenance agreements.

Q: What difference will train passengers see?

A: Over several years, train passengers will have more comfortable and reliable trains because not only will all the brand new trains be in service but the 86-car Ganz Mavag fleet will be fully refurbished, so they look, run and feel more like the Matangi trains.

As work continues on the network, services should become more reliable. The work done over the last few years to modernise the signalling system, for example, now means there are far fewer disruptions caused by signal failures.

Greater Wellington intends to manage all its rail assets – trains, stations and the depot – proactively. This means, for example, ensuring that there are sufficient numbers of trains so trains can be taken out for regular maintenance. This should mean that fewer trains break down during service so there are fewer disruptions. Similarly, with station buildings, Greater Wellington will develop a programme of regular maintenance and improvements to prevent stations falling into sad and expensive states of disrepair.

Q: When will the Ganz Mavag refurbishment begin?

A: This process depends on a successful evaluation of the prototype Ganz Mavag refurbishment. A two-car unit has been fully renovated and is now in passenger service. The evaluation will be completed later this year and if it’s successful then the rest of the fleet would begin to be refurbished next year.

Heading to a RWC 2011 match from Wairarapa?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1200

As there will be no additional Wairarapa Line train services for Wellington RWC 2011 matches, Tranzit Coachlines are currently trying to gauge interest from Wairarapa people in a chartered bus to and from the matches.

Register your interest now! Email Tranzit Coachlines on tours@tranzit.co.nz or call 0800 471 227. Make sure you let them know which matches you'd be interested in using the bus service for and the number of adults, children (15 and under) or families (2 adults and 2 children).

Tranzit Coachlines will contact you to advise whether or not enough interest has been registered and whether the bus service will run.

Bus routes, fares and timetables will be set by Tranzit Coachlines and subject to change by the operator.

Proposed public transport fare increase postponed

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Fare increases proposed for Wellington’s buses and trains, due to take effect from 1 September, have been postponed.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, which oversees public transport, says negotiations with operators about the fare increases are taking longer than expected.

“Getting to a place where everyone is satisfied with the changes always takes a substantial amount of time but this year discussions are taking longer than we had expected. We’re hoping that negotiations will be completed soon.

“Although we can’t set a specific date yet for the fare increases to take effect, it won’t be 1 October as that’s right in the middle of Rugby World Cup 2011 and to have bus and train fares changing then would be too confusing for the thousands of visitors expected in Wellington.”

Peter Glensor says people who have already bought September monthly rail passes at the higher rate will be refunded.

The proposed fare increase involves a 5% increase to stored value cards, 10-trip tickets and monthly passes for buses and trains. There are also changes to some special Johnsonville train fares and cash fares for zones 10-14 (between Wellington and Waikanae and Wairarapa).

There will be no changes to all other fares set by Greater Wellington.

Peter Glensor says the increase will generate an increase of about 3% in overall revenue. “Like the cost of everything else, the cost of running public transport is increasing so fares need to be increased to meet those costs.”

Why has the fare increase been postponed?

Negotiations with some operators, not all, are taking longer than we had expected.

When will the fare increase happen?

A date has not been set yet.

If I’ve already bought a monthly train pass for September, can I get a refund?

Yes, you can get a refund from where you bought your pass.

Why are fares going up?

How much are fares going up by?

The average increase is 3% but not all fares are increasing. Most (but not all) cash fares are not changing. Most (but not all) multi-trip ticket prices are going up by about 5%.

Why isn’t the fare increase an across-the-board percentage increase?

Cash fares increased in 2010, so this year it is the turn of multi-trip tickets to increase.

Why are multi-trip fares going up and not cash fares?

At the 2010 increase, it was the cash fares that were increased, and the multi-trip fares (excluding zones 11-14) only increased an average of 2.5% because of the GST increase. This year the opposite is happening, so that the impact of fare increases is shared as evenly as possible.

Why are some of the Johnsonville fares being deleted?

Three of the fares that applied only on the Johnsonville rail line have been deleted. These are the Peace Train monthly, the 3 zone monthly and the school term pass. These three fares are historical oddities. Removing them helps make the overall fare structure easier to understand. Johnsonville Line monthly and term passes will still be available, but they will be at the same price as on the other rail lines. This will result in a small price increase.

Why are some fares going up by more than 5%?

Rounding and the need to maintain relativity between fares has meant that some multi-trip fares are increasing by slightly more than 5%. But most multi-trip fares are increasing by 5%

Other special fares such as the Day Rover, Weekend Rover and Group Rover tickets, and the after-midnight fares, are not increasing.

Fares increased last year for all 10-14 zone trips (affecting mostly users of the Wairarapa train), so why are those fares increasing again this year?

Yes, cash and multi-trip tickets for 10-14 zone trips went up last year, and are going up again this year.

For many years fares for zone 10-14 trips have been lower on a per-kilometre basis than all other fares. This anomaly has now been corrected.

Are harbour ferry fares increasing?

No. These increased last year and are not increasing this year.

Are the Airport Flyer fares increasing?

No. These increased last year and are not increasing this year.

What about free Super Gold card travel?

Super Gold card holders will continue to travel free on public transport during off-peak times.

Is a fare increase going to be a regular yearly event?

Yes, fares will be reviewed every year. Given that costs of public transport, like all other costs, seem to increase every yeear, then it is likely that fare increases will become an annual occurrence.

More people taking public transport – Metlink satisfaction survey

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Eight percent more of Greater Wellington residents used public transport in the three months to April than the same time last year, Metlink’s annual customer satisfaction survey has found. Metlink is Greater Wellington’s public transport network.

The telephone survey of 750 residents in the Wellington region, carried out for Metlink during April / May, found that 78 percent of respondents had used public transport recently compared to 70 percent in the same time last year.

“The increase is statistically significant,” says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, which oversees public transport. “Patronage numbers can fluctuate quite a bit from month to month so it’s difficult to attribute changes to specific factors but we are certainly aware that the extension of commuter services to Waikanae last February has boosted public transport patronage levels in Kapiti.”

The survey also recorded higher levels of satisfaction with the quality of bus and train vehicles than the previous year.

“This could be the result of the huge investment that’s been put into public transport over the last few years, such as fleets of new Wairarapa trains, new buses and new Matangi trains. These new vehicles are now being enjoyed by more and more public transport users.

“Survey respondents were also more satisfied with the visibility of stations which seems to show that all the work done to improve many stations over the last few years is paying off.

“However, less than half (49%) of people surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the train service overall. This comes as no surprise to us – there have been huge issues with trains over the last 12 months but things have begun improving even since this survey was taken. For instance we now have more Matangi cars in passenger service and reliability is definitely improving. So things are getting better and we should see significantly higher satisfaction scores next year.”

Substantially more survey respondents were happier with bus services than last year. Sixty-seven percent of recent (i.e. those who have taken a bus in the last three months) bus users were satisfied or very satisfied – up from 51% in 2009 and 58% in 2010.

“As well as the introduction of more modern buses, including a new fleet of trolley buses over the last few years real time information has now been rolled out on Go Wellington buses,” says Cr Glensor. Real time information tells you, through the Metlink website, your smart phone and on-street displays when your bus will arrive. “As more on-street displays are installed, we’d expect people’s satisfaction to increase even more.”

The survey also found that unhappiness about fare costs was high compared to other aspects of the public transport service. “Some of the reasons for this seem quite obvious, particularly with the train services over the last 12 months but there’s also been a significant decrease in satisfaction about fares among bus users. It’s a fact of life that no-one likes paying any more for anything but running public transport, let alone making improvements, is a costly business, particularly for a relatively small population.”

Eighty percent of harbour ferry users were satisfied or very satisfied with the service.

A copy of the survey results is available here.

Wellington metro rail package signed & sealed

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1200

An agreed package of improvements to Wellington’s metropolitan rail network and a change of owner for the metropolitan trains and stations was signed and sealed today.

Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, says the package demonstrates the Council’s and Government’s continued commitment to a high quality, reliable rail service for Wellington.

“This package enables the contination of much needed rail work following on from all that’s been done over the last three or four years to prepare the network for the new Matangi trains. The network has improved out of sight thanks to all that work – and this package means that less disruptive catch-up work, not related directly to the Matangi trains, can be done.

“Greater Wellington’s ownership of the metropolitan trains, maintenance depot and station buildings makes good sense, given our regional public transport responsibilities. We have a proven record as a competent owner and manager of rail assets including the Wairarapa trains, the Matangi trains and Waterloo and Petone Stations; this package allows us to continue the good work.”

KiwiRail’s Chief Executive, Jim Quinn, says “Metro rail is growing in importance for commuters, and we want to ensure that Greater Wellington and KiwiRail are working together to provide a modern, functional and reliable network for Wellingtonians. I am confident this package will allow us to do that.”

Key features of the package are:

Greater Wellington Rail Limited (GWRL) takes ownership of the 88-car Ganz Mavag fleet, EMU Maintenance Depot and station buildings (except for Wellington Station)

GWRL will fund the $80 million refurbishment of the Ganz Mavag fleet and will continue to fund station maintenance and improvements with support from Government

KiwiRail continues as train operator for metropolitan passenger services, although Greater Wellington will have the right to test the market in the future.

Greater Wellington and KiwiRail will develop performance based network, operating and rolling stock maintenance agreements

The Government retains ownership of the track, signals, power supply etc and will fund an $88 million programme of catch-up renewal work

Fran Wilde says Greater Wellington has approved, in principle, the refurbishment of the 29-year-old Ganz Mavag fleet.

“We can either replace or refurbish the fleet. Based on our preliminary analysis of the options, refurbishment makes the most economic and practical sense.

When the 96 new Matangi cars are all in passenger service, they’ll be able to deliver all off-peak services but more trains will be needed to meet peak hour demand. “Clearly, if we had unlimited funds another fleet of brand new trains would be ideal but the time taken to build these is also a factor that we need to consider. If we are to provide for growing rail passenger numbers we’ll require all the Ganz and Matangi units to operate reliably and deliver a high standard of passenger comfort.”

A prototype refurbished two-car Ganz Mavag unit is running on the Hutt and Kapiti Lines and is about half-way through its in-service evaluation.

Metlink City Safari 2011

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

It started out really wet with torrential rain and thunderstorms but even that didn't put off the six-hour teams yesterday. Thankfully for the three-hour teams the weather cleared - Wellington pulled one out of the bag and it turned out to be a stunner.

Petone came into play this year for the first time and it was a popular destination for both three-hour and six-hour teams.

Head to the Metlink City Safari website to see the results table and more.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.

New WelTec Express service

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Mana Coach Services has introduced a new service between Porirua and WelTec Petone. See attached for more informationWelTec Express service.

Metlink News- Issue 16

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Welcome to the first issue of Metlink News for 2011. This year you’ll see big improvements to Metlink services – new train services to Waikanae, new Matangi trains, and a real time information system. Read all about what’s happened so far this year and what’s in store.

You can also view the web friendly PDF: Metlink News Issue 16

In this issue:

Metlink- what we do
Matangi update
Real Time Information…due in Wellington City soon!
Wellington City bus review
Rail roundup
Did you know?
Metlink Twitter passes 500 mark
Metlink City Safari 2011
Regional Public Transport Plan – have your say

Metlink – what we do

Metlink is the name for Greater Wellington’s public transport network. Owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council, Metlink is the one stop shop for all information about the region’s buses, trains and harbour ferries.

We produce all timetables, staff the Metlink information line, run the Metlink website, www.metlink.org.nz and manage txtBUS and txtTRAIN text messaging services. We also provide information about new timetables and routes, or any changes to services. We work very closely with the operators who we contract to provide train, bus, and harbour ferry services.

If you have a compliment or complaint about a train, bus or harbour ferry service please let us know, by emailing info@metlink.org.nz or calling the information line 0800 801 700, or you can tweet us at twitter.com/metlinkwgtn. If it’s a complaint, we’ll log it and follow it up with the operator. If it’s a compliment, we’ll definitely pass it on!

Matangi update

Metlink customers on the Upper Hutt train line will soon be enjoying travelling in the new Matangi trains.

The new trains have manually operated doors so if you are the only one in your car who wants to get off at a station, you need to press the green button.

Eight of the 48 trains are now in Wellington, with more arriving

regularly.

Real Time Information…due in Wellington City soon!

If you catch GO Wellington buses you’ll soon be able to find out when your bus will turn up – not just when it’s scheduled to arrive. A real time information system is expected to be up and running, initially for GO Wellington buses, from early April. Below are some FAQ’s about real time.

Q: How will I be able to get real time information?

A: You’ll be able to get real time information for any bus stop or train station online from the Metlink website (www.metlink.org.nz). Real time information will also be available via text message using txtBUS, from electronic signs at key bus stops and stations, or by phoning the Metlink Information line on (04) 801 7000.

Q: Where will the on-street display screens be?

A: The first ones will be at the Wellington Station bus terminal, where the buses come and go from Wellington Station and more will be installed across the region over the next 12 months. There will eventually be about 190 street displays at the busiest key bus stops and destinations, including hospitals, universities and shopping areas, major employment areas, bus and train interchanges and major tourist attractions – and another 60 displays at rail stations.

Q: When will real time be available for other services?

A: Over the next 12 months real time information will be rolled out progressively to GO Wellington, Valley Flyer, Mana and Newlands buses, followed by trains.

Q: How does it work?

A: Real time information tracks the precise position of buses and trains using satellite positioning technology to predict the ‘real’ arrival time at bus stops or train stations. This lets you know how many minutes away your bus or train is.

Q: What difference will it make?

A: It will mean less waiting time for you as you can check online or via txtBUS or txtTRAIN to see what time your bus or train is arriving. So you can make the best use of your time, e.g. stay at the office and do a bit more work or pop into the supermarket before going to your bus stop. And the display screens give you more certainty when you’re waiting, as you will be able to see how far away your bus or train is.

Q: Will it make buses more reliable?

A: The position of late running buses will be fed into Wellington City Council’s traffic signal control system which will make it possible for traffic lights to give priority to these buses over other traffic. The information will also help Metlink and the bus operators to more easily identify and resolve short term disruptions, and longer term problems, e.g. particular routes or services where there are frequent delays, more easily so they can try and resolve them.

Wellington City bus review

Fewer buses going through Wellington’s Golden Mile and more suburban transport hubs could be the reality for Wellington in the next year or two. A range of options are being considered, as part of the Wellington City bus review, to improve bus services.

The review, which began in 2009, is the first comprehensive study of Wellington city bus services since the early 1990s. As well as actual bus services, connections with harbour ferry and train services have also come under the spotlight.

A survey asking bus users what they liked and disliked about services, and about their preferences, was carried out in late 2009. A special study of bus trips along the Golden Mile was carried out last year, along with several focus group meetings. All this information is being analysed and will be used for the development of a range of options for changes. These should be finalised by the middle of this year and after some more consultation changes should start to happen in 2012. Watch this space for updates.

Rail roundup

Work is still under way on Wellington’s rail network, but a lot has been completed since the last issue of Metlink News. Here are some highlights:

•All new timetables

New timetables for all train services came into effect on 20 February. The new timetables cater for the new commuter services to Waikanae and the introduction of the new Matangi trains.

•New Pomare Park & Ride

Stokes Valley train commuters now have a 42-space carpark at Pomare. A traffic island has also been installed on Eastern Hutt Road, as part of the improvements, to make it easier for commuters to cross from the carpark to the station at peak hour.

•Porirua Station makeover

Porirua train passengers are enjoying their colourful, fresher and brighter station. The repainted station has new lighting, safer stairwells and re-surfaced platforms. Vibrant murals and stunning photo panels – the work of local artists – greet passengers in the subway. The bus shelter has had a face lift and fencing around the station has been replaced.

•Waikanae services up and running

Regular commuter services are now running to and from Waikanae. As well as a new station building, with toilets and a waiting room, there’s a new carpark and more room for buses to stop directly alongside the station.

•More parking at Petone

More Petone commuters can now park and ride from Petone Station. A new carpark, with 91 spaces, has been built on the western side of the old Hutt Road.

Did you know?

That Metlink has an Information Line team who run the Metlink call centre. They answer customers’ calls and emails about bus, train and harbour ferry services, and increasingly importantly give Metlink’s Twitter followers the latest information on service changes and disruptions. As well as answering customer queries, some of the Information Line team help out with proofreading timetables (and Metlink News!). You may also see some of the team handing out brochures or flyers occasionally at Wellington Station and bus stops.

Metlink Twitter passes 500 mark

More than 500 people are now following Metlink on Twitter. Metlink tweets give you up to the minute information on everything to do with our bus and harbour ferry services. Make sure you get the latest – follow us at www.twitter.com/metlinkwgtn

Metlink City Safari 2011

The event that just keeps getting bigger and better is on again this year. Metlink City Safari, an orienteering challenge with a public transport twist, is on Sunday 15 May. Mark this day in your diary now and check Metlink website for more details next month.

Regional Public Transport Plan – have your say

The Public Transport Plan sets out the services Greater Wellington intends to provide, and the policies that apply to these services. If you’re interested in influencing this, you can have your say when the draft Public Transport Plan is released for comment in May.