At least 30 Wellington bus routes need fixing as network continues to struggle

Monday, 29 October 2018

At least 30 Wellington bus routes need fixing as the city's new network continues to cause problems.

A plan to bring Wellington's beleaguered bus network up to standard has been hatched, but at least 30 routes will need to be fixed.

The new region-wide bus system was introduced in the capital July and is continuing to suffer from problems such as lateness, over-crowding, bus 'bunching', and inaccurate real-time information.

The latest Greater Wellington Regional Council report into its progress reveals that while things are generally improving, 30 routes will need to be adjusted in the coming months and further school routes may also need to be improved.

Changes to Wellington's bus network have been proposed to fix the problems that have been plaguing it, but those changes could end up putting extra strain on the network. (File photo)

The first set of changes will be introduced on November 11, with a second set of improvements planned for February 3.

**READ MORE:

At least 30 Wellington bus routes will need to be improved over the coming months. (File photo)

* Where did it all go wrong?

* Review into bus problems

Greater Wellington Regional Council chief executive Greg Campbell said the bus network changes were mostly small, and were to be expected. (File photo)

* Parliamentary briefing into bus debacle

* Minister's concerns about new system**

The No.1 and No.3 routes remain the worst for lateness and bus bunching. (File photo)

'While the performance of the network has improved significantly and the majority of customers are experiencing a good level of service, there remains customer pain points that must be addressed,' the report said.

The proposed changes are in addition to extra buses already added to three routes in September, and the reinstatement of the all-day 18e route that services Wellington Regional Hospital and university campuses.

Rongotai MP Paul Eagle said the number of changes needed showed how wrong the original network design was. (File photo)

The solution will involve adding extra buses, extending routes, lengthening timetables, and adjusting schedules to reflect travel times and reduce bunching – a situation where more than one bus on the same route arrives at the same time.

But the extra buses required could also put further strain on the network, with NZ Bus, which will introduce 17 double-deckers by early next year, expected to be up to eight buses short once the changes are introduced.

The first changes will be introduced on November 11, with the second lot to be introduced on February 3. (File photo)

Council chief executive Greg Campbell said it was always expected adjustments would need to be made.

'Most are small changes to ensure the network runs well. We will continue to do this whenever opportunities arise to further improve services.'

Rongotai MP Paul Eagle said the magnitude of changes required showed the extent of the problem the regional council had created.

'It shows that the council staff who designed the network got it wrong, and it shows the elected members [councillors] were hoodwinked into thinking this was going to be the revolution that never came,' Eagle said.

'The changes are good news for bus users but the proof is in the pudding. There are still issues out there.'

The number of transfers commuters needed to take should also be reduced, from the seven currently in place to just two – at Kilbirnie and the hospital, Eagle said.

The council report found less than 1 per cent of commuters were transferring because they had to, with the rest choosing to.

Tertiary students and Gold Card holders enjoyed the fact transfers were free within 30 minutes, the report said.

The report also addressed claims the new network had discouraged bus use and led to increased traffic on the region's roads. Four sections of state highway were monitored at peak times for a month either side of the network rollout, showing there had been little impact on traffic, but there was no information on local roads.

It took up to 30 weeks for changes to be made to the network because of protocols that had to be followed, the report said.

THE PROBLEM

Some areas of the bus network still experiencing lateness, over-crowding, bus 'bunching', and inaccurate real-time information.

THE SOLUTION

Extra buses, extending routes, lengthening timetables, and adjusting schedules to reflect travel times.

WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?

November 11: Routes 1, 7, 17, 17e, 19, 19e, 23, 24, 29, 29e, 32x, 654, 774

February 3: Routes 2, 3, 12, 12e, 14, 18, 18e, 21, 22, 28, 30x, 31x, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

BUS NETWORK REPORT CARD

* Routes 1 and 3 were the worst for lateness and bunching

* Problems elsewhere with over-crowding and inaccurate real-time information boards.

* 'Banker' buses used to address capacity shortfall, but problem flaring up occasionally.

* There has been little impact on traffic on SH1 Ngauranga Gorge, Paterson St, Cobham Dirve, and SH2 between Ngauranga and Petone

* Bus patronage has been steady since rollout

* 93 per cent of trips left on time between October 13 and 19

* Cancelled buses have been less than 1 per cent on average (to October 19).