Our public transport commitment

The future is exciting for Metlink (Greater Wellington's public transport network) but it depends on a commitment to the long-term vision and a willingness to pay, writes Peter Glensor (Deputy Chair of Greater Wellington and Chair of the Transport and Access Committee).

IT'S THE YEAR 2020.

Ella lives in Titahi Bay and works in Newtown. Before leaving home each day she checks her smart phone for when the next bus is due at her stop, a few minutes walk away. She takes the bus to Porirua Railway Station where a screen tells her exactly when the next train is due. Trains on the Waikanae Line run every 10 minutes during peak hour. At Wellington Railway Station another screen tells her when the next bus to Newtown departs. Ella has a smartcard that she uses on all buses, trains and light rail.

Back to 2008. Our challenge is to put the building blocks firmly in place to make all of this possible.

Our purchase of new electric trains, to be introduced from 2010, along with NZ Bus's purchase of new trolley buses this year (both enabled by Greater Wellington and government funding), are important improvements. An extensive programme of railway upgrades is under way. However, we've got a lot of work to do with real-time information and integrate ticketing. Both projects are expensive but will help us create a more reliable and user-friendly public transport network.

We have strengthened our commitment to real-time information, with a decision to enter the tendering phase for developing and installing such a system. Up-to-the-minute information (via mobile phones, computers and visual display screens) about when the next bus or train is due gives people a greater sense of certainty and confidence.

The list of what we could do is almost endless, but funding realities mean that difficult decisions have to be made soon about projects that could be 10 to 15 years away.

Rising oil prices are also a significant factor in terms of how we fund our projects and services. While high oil prices could encourage many commuters to switch to our trains and buses, which is great from a sustainability perspective, there are serious rating implications. Already this year, we're looking at an extra $1.1 million just to run our diesel buses and keep pace with oil price increases and inflation - without a single increase in service.

Greater Wellington's Passenger Transport Plan sets out a path for delivering public transport for the next three years, and in some cases up to 10 years. However, it's vital we continue talking with our community about commitment to the longer-term priorities for public transport, and choices about rates and fares.

It's exciting to envisage a cutting-edge public transport network by 2020 but to make it happen we must have commitment to priorities and a willingness to pay.