Auckland isn't the only city with a light rail plan - two years since it was announced, the $6.4 billion 'Let's Get Wellington Moving' package is finally getting moving.
Over the next 30 years, 50,000 to 80,000 more people will call the city of over 400,000 home, so like Auckland, the capital can expect rapid transit options like light rail or electric buses with dedicated lanes in the future.
Four options have been proposed, all with a plan to construct a new tunnel through Mt Victoria which leads to the airport, and all but one with a plan to build light rail from Wellington Rail Station through the city and suburbs to Island Bay.
The path hasn't been smooth. The transport renewal plan had to be overhauled after a scathing review earlier this year found it at risk of failure, under-resourced and with a detrimental culture.
It's also been political. Former Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter came under pressure to release a letter she wrote to then-Transport Minister Phil Twyford, in which she sought public transport to be prioritised over a second tunnel.
The four rapid transit options still need to go through a consultation process, with an update on the outcomes of public engagement expected in early 2022. Then based on the feedback, plans will be finalised before construction begins in 2028.
It'll then be a further eight to 15 years before Wellingtonians can enjoy their new rapid transit, which is expected to get 500 vehicles off the road in the morning peak hour, support up to 21,000 homes, and reduce carbon emissions.
What's been proposed?
Let's Get Wellington Moving acting programme director David Dunlop has published four options to get Wellington moving, all with a price tag of more than $5 billion - far less than the $14 billion proposed for light rail in Auckland.
The centrepiece of the four options is mass rapid transit, either light rail or "spacious elongated" electric buses. Also proposed are improvements at the crowded Basin Reserve roundabout and an extra Mt Victoria Tunnel.
"We're looking at major changes to two routes - a southern suburbs route from Wellington Railway Station to Island Bay that has big potential for more housing. And an eastern suburbs route through Mt Victoria - an important connection, but with less potential for housing," says Dunlop.
"The options are about enabling more people to live centrally and be closer to jobs and education. Getting around will be safer, easier, and healthier, with less reliance on cars. You'll have high quality public transport that's more reliable, and better ways to walk and cycle around the city."
The Greens are the only party so far to express an opinion on the proposals, with option four the preferred pathway for transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.
"Option four is by far the lowest cost and fastest to deliver, which means we can continue to invest in low carbon transport improvements like rapid regional rail, and extending rapid transit connections."
Wellingtonians, you can have your say by visiting www.lgwm.nz.
Option 1 - South coast light rail + new public transport tunnel
- 30 year cost of $7.4 billion
- 10 to 15 years of construction
- Light rail from Railway Station to Island Bay
- Challenging to extend to other suburbs in the future
- Basin Reserve is beautified and not a roundabout
- Arras tunnel is made longer to make getting around the Basin easier
- New tunnel built at Mt Victoria
Option 2 - Bus rapid transit
- 30 year cost of $7 billion
- 10 to 15 years of construction
- Bus Rapid Transit to Island Bay, the airport, Miramar and Seatoun
- Could be extended to other suburbs in the future
- Basin Reserve is beautified and not a roundabout
- Arras tunnel is made longer to make getting around the Basin easier
- New tunnel built at Mt Victoria
Option 3 - South coast light rail
- 30 year cost of $6.6 billion
- Eight to 12 years of construction
- Light rail from Railway Station to Island Bay
- Challenging to extend to other suburbs in the future
- Basin Reserve is beautified and not a roundabout
- Arras tunnel is made longer to make getting around the Basin easier
- New tunnel built at Mt Victoria for people cycling and walking
Option 4: South Coast light rail via Taranaki
- 30 year cost of $5.8 billion
- Eight to 12 years of construction
- Light rail from Railway Station to Island Bay
- Challenging to extend to other suburbs in the future
- Basin Reserve stays as a roundabout and fewer changes needed
- New tunnel built at Mt Victoria for people cycling and walking
