About Us
Metlink
Proudly part of Greater Wellington
(external link)Greater Wellington Regional Council(external link) (GWRC), under the brand name Metlink, brings a public bus, rail and ferry transport network to the wider Wellington region, including Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa.
We work with our transport operators to deliver a connected, integrated network with patronage across all modes growing at a rapid rate.
We continuously refine and improve our network based on customer research and feedback. Our goal is to deliver an effective, efficient, and integrated public transport network for the people of Wellington.
The Council works in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency to plan and fund the region’s public transport network. We work closely with the following local government agencies to deliver public transport services and infrastructure in their areas:
- Wellington City Council(external link)
- Hutt City Council(external link)
- Porirua City Council(external link)
- Upper Hutt City Council(external link)
- Kapiti Coast District Council(external link)
- South Wairarapa District Council(external link)
- Carterton District Council(external link)
- Masterton District Council(external link)
Metlink is the Wellington region’s public transport network of bus, train and harbour ferry service. The Metlink network has 5 rail lines, nearly 100 public bus routes, more than 180 school bus services, and 4 harbour ferry wharves.
Metlink operates nearly 150 dedicated school bus routes serving 83 schools in the Wellington region, in addition to public bus routes serving the rest of the region.
Bus operators
Mana Coach Services(external link)
Metlink buses
The Metlink fleet of over 450 lime and yellow buses carry passengers around the region. Buses of many different sizes, including double deckers and electric buses, run over 3700 services carrying nearly 100,000 passengers on the average weekday. In fact, 24.8 Million people used our buses during 2018/19. In addition, we operate nearly 150 dedicated school bus routes serving 83 schools.
Bus network
The bus network underwent huge changes in July 2018, with many routes changing to better serve the changing needs of a growing metropolitan city. Refinements to routes and updates to timetables are continually improving, as we work hard to create the best network for our customers.
More information about bus contracts and a list of bus routes by operator can be found on the Regional Council website.
Bus stops and shelters
Bus stops and shelters are mostly owned and maintained by local city councils, but some are owned by Metlink. All bus stops will be clearly marked with a bus stop number and a timetable for the routes that serve that stop. Bus interchanges (formerly known as hubs) are located at key points in the network where transferring between services is easiest. You can expect the bus interchanges to be sheltered, well-lit spaces, making transferring between buses safer and more comfortable.
Accessible journeys
All Metlink buses are wheelchair accessible and have dedicated priority seating areas for our
Train operator
Transdev Wellington(external link)
Wellington Rail Network
Wellingtonians and visitors take more than 14 million passenger journeys a year on the Wellington Metro Rail Network. Rail transport provides many benefits to the region from connecting people and businesses, taking cars and trucks off the roads and reducing carbon emissions.
When buses replace trains
With most of the rail lines being used 19-20 hours a day, 365 days a year, from time to time works can cause bus replacements for passenger services. We have a regular maintenance and renewal programme which aims to improve the reliability and resilience of the Wellington commuter network. Work on the line which requires buses to replace trains are planned in advance, with the aim of keeping disruption to commuters to a minimum.
Ferry operator
East by West Ferries(external link)
History
East by West Ltd has run the ferry service for Wellington City since it was established in March 1989 between Days Bay and Queens Wharf. Previously called the WestpacTrust ferry before being replaced by the “City Cat” catamaran in 1990. In 1995 Matiu Somes Island was opened to the public as a DoC reserve and was then added to the ferries route. The Wellington Harbour Ferry became part of the Metlink family on 1 May 2003.
A new service in 2004 was proposed from Queens Wharf to Petone by East by West and the Passenger Transport Committee agreed to a trial. The new “Cobar Cat” ferry was purchased and the trial began in December 2005. Unfortunately, the Petone service was cancelled in June 2006 and the Cobar Cat was used to provide further trips during peak between Days bay and Queens Wharf where it later expanded to Petone and Seatoun on commercial runs. There are no longer services to Petone due to earthquake damage impacting the pier.
National Ticketing System
Metlink is working with Waka Kotahi to introduce and implement the National Ticketing Solution(external link) which will improve public transport for Wellingtonians and all New Zealanders through a centralised, standardised approach to paying for public transport, and a common customer experience no matter where you are in the country.
The National Ticketing Solution supports Metlink’s and the government’s goals toward safer and less congested roads, reducing emissions, as well as supporting healthier lifestyles. It will also help to improve access to travel options by providing people with more choice.
In preparation for this, Metlink is implementing contactless payment with Snapper card payments on rail services.
The Pōneke Promise
Together we can keep Wellington city safe.
Greater Wellington Regional Council is working with some great partners to help everyone feel safer in Wellington City.
We’ve banded together with a new social contract, the Pōneke Promise. We’re promising a set of actions that we’ll be accountable for. We'll continue to make more promises to keep our city safe.
We’re making collective change to keep Pōneke a vibrant and compassionate place to live.
It’s our Pōneke Promise(external link).
By sharing information and working together to develop and deliver solutions, we’re working towards the common goal of making Pōneke a safe, vibrant and welcoming city for everyone.
Our partners include:
- Wellington City Council(external link)
- Hospitality NZ (external link)
- First Retail (external link)
- NZ Police (external link)
- Chamber of Commerce (external link)
- Wellington City Mission (external link)
- DCM (external link)
- Taranaki Whānui (external link)
- Te Herenga Waka: Victoria University of Wellington (external link)
- Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (external link)
Cleaning and maintenance of bus shelters
Review is complete and changes are underway to frequency and timing for bus shelter cleaning and maintenance in Wellington City.
Public transport night services review
A review is underway to determine how many people are using the Metlink after midnight services, and what people think about the timetables and fares.
Security liaison staff
Employing extra security liaison staff to work alongside door people at the City’s bars and nightclubs. (In progress)
Let’s Get Wellington Moving is a joint initiative between:
- Wellington City Council (WCC)(external link)
- Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC)(external link), and
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.(external link)
These organisations are supported by our mana whenua partners Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
Future Rail
Building a better rail network for the Wellington region
KiwiRail and Metlink are working together to upgrade the rail network to makes services more reliable and enable more people to travel on trains in the future, with funding provided by the New Zealand Government.
Future Rail, also known as the Wellington Metro Upgrade(external link), is a collection of projects which will deliver a service with fewer speed restrictions and outages, longer trains and more services for Metlink commuters.
Renewing existing infrastructure so services run as smoothly as possible:
- Replacing and modernising the overhead power system and signals power supply
- Renewing the track, across the network including inside the four major tunnels
Adding capacity so more people can travel on trains in the future while still allowing for freight services:
- Double tracking between Trentham and Upper Hutt
- Improvements to Wellington Railway Station approaches and changes at Plimmerton
Last published: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 4:26 PM