Let's Get Wellington Moving

Let's Get Wellington Moving was a proposal to improve Wellington's mass transit, public transport, infrastructure in walking and cycling, and state highways. It was a run by the Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and NZTA Waka Kotahi. First announced in May 2019, it was cancelled in December 2023.

History

Background

In 2008, a feasibility study produced by Greater Wellington Regional Council, the "Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Corridor Plan", outlined the possibility of light rail being used as a solution to link Wellington CBD to Wellington International Airport.

Following the 2010 mayoral elections, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown pledged to investigate light rail between Wellington station and the airport. In August 2017 the Green Party updated its transport policy to introduce light rail from the city centre to Newtown by 2025 and the airport by 2027.
Mayor Justin Lester reaffirmed his support for light rail along the golden mile in 2018.

Let's Get Wellington Moving

In May 2019, the light rail line formed part of a $6.4 billion transport package known as "Let's Get Wellington Moving" announced by Lester, linking the city centre with the airport. By 2020, no progress was made in planning of the system, however it was still included in the Green Party of New Zealand's transport policy.

In 2022, the New Zealand government committed to an estimated NZ$7.4 billion project consisting of a light rail network running from the Wellington city centre to Courtenay Place then either the "southern" route past the Wellington Hospital to the south coast at Island Bay or the "eastern" route to Miramar and Wellington Airport. A second Mount Victoria Tunnel is also proposed. New Zealand's Finance Minister Grant Robertson stated that "the southern light rail option is our preferred choice for Wellington because of the significant potential it offers for new housing and neighborhood growth."

In November 2023 the new National Government is expected to cancel “Lets Get Wellington Moving” except for the second Mount Victoria Tunnel. Waka Kotahi had purchased in October land for a site for a light rail station near the Basin Reserve on the ”southern” route to Island Bay. A charity was considering the site for the proposed Wellington Charity Hospital. The government announced in December 2023 that the project would be scrapped. Green Party transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter criticised, the move, saying that prioritising the Basin works and tunnel would not improve traffic flow, but would be disruptive. Tamatha Paul, Wellington Central MP, said that "All people want is a bus that shows up on time, decent pay for bus drivers, and to move around without having to worry about their safety". Project manager of Cycling Action Network, Patrick Morgan, said new plans for transport in Wellington "are a hodgepodge of failed ideas from the 1960s", and "Everyone except the Government knows you simply can't build your way out of congestion".

In mid December 2023, the Minister of Transport Simeon Brown ordered the New Zealand Transport Agency to cease funding and work on various local council projects to promote cycling, walking and public transportation including "Let's Get Wellington Moving." On 17 December, the Government reached an agreement with the Transport Agency, the Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council to halt "Let's Get Wellington Moving." As part of the agreement, the Government agreed to fully fund the Basin Reserve upgrade while the City Council would take over the Golden Mile project.

See also

* Trams in New Zealand
* Public transport in the Wellington Region
* Wellington tramway system
* Johnsonville Line (conversion to light rail was an option considered in 2008)
* Light rail in Auckland

References

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Light rail in New Zealand
Passenger rail transport in New Zealand
Proposed rail infrastructure in New Zealand
Rail transport in Wellington
2019 establishments in New Zealand
2023 disestablishments in New Zealand