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An articulated bus The first tranche of electric articulated buses is expected to join the Metlink fleet in 2026, and a hail and ride, fixed route bus service will replace the Metlink On Demand trial in 2025. Greater Wellington’s Transport Committee reconfirmed its commitment to articulated buses today, but was forced to replace the On Demand trial - one of more than 40 Metlink projects declined finance by the government through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).
Buses will replace trains on the Wairarapa line for 46 days between 26 December 2024 and 10 February 2025, as KiwiRail closes the rail line to carry out an ongoing programme of maintenance work, and extensive upgrades to get the line ready for faster trains and more frequent services.
A $10. 2m increase in the government’s contribution to Greater Wellington’s (GW) rail renewals funding, announced in Budget 2024, has been welcomed by the regional council. Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says he is grateful the government has recognised investment is required in the Wellington Metropolitan Rail Network, to bring this critical Crown-owned asset up to standard following years of under-investment.
Metlink advises passengers there may be some off-peak disruption to bus services between 10am-1pm on Thursday 16 May, as drivers attend their regular Tramways Union meeting. Affected routes may include: 1, 7, 17, 19, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 29. Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead using the latest travel information on the Metlink app or website, and look out for service alerts for their usual routes.
Raising public transport fares by 10 percent will be considered by regional councillors at a Greater Wellington Council meeting on Thursday 29 February. For the Annual Fares Review, the council will also be asked to note that to reduce pressure on rates and debt funding, a fares increase of at least a 10 percent is required to partially cover public transport costs expected to rise by approximately 19 percent in the next financial year.
Two suspended services on Metlink’s number 21 bus route have been reinstated as plans take shape for the resumption of 65 other services temporarily removed from timetables last October. A total of 181 scheduled bus services were suspended in late 2022 to reduce cancellations caused by the national bus driver shortage and to give passengers certainty.
Our last drop-in sessions are scheduled on Saturday 29 July. After this time, you can still get help to apply and a free Snapper card by calling Metlink on 0800 801 700. Want to know more about our Community Connect Concession , or need some help registering? Our Metlink Ambassadors will be visiting local libraries and community centres across the Wellington region.
An updated website & app with a more intuitive user experience will launch on 30 June 2023. It includes easier navigation menus, richer real-time information, clearer journey plan information including fares, and an easy-to-manage favourites section. Update is due to land in app stores from 29 June 2023. You won't have to download a new app - just run the update on your current Metlink app when it is available.
The final steps to move the bus stops at Wellington Station Bus Interchange into their permanent locations are nearing completion. Phase 1 - Complete expand_more Monday 15 August to Saturday 19 November Stop A moved to outside the Law School (Old Government Building). Stops B & C combined and moved to outside the Bookstore. No changes to Stop D. School buses depart from their usual stop. Airport Express departs from Stop B outside the Bookstore.
Weekday timetables resume for Wellington and Porirua buses. Suspended rail services reinstated. Cancellations still possible due to national driver shortage. Regular weekday timetables for Metlink buses resume on Monday 30 January after the network operated on enhanced Saturday schedules for most of the month to alleviate the impact of the national driver shortage. Rail services suspended in December are also being restored, although an ongoing rail staff shortage could cause some trains to be cancelled.