Light rail in Wellington
The city of Wellington, capital of New Zealand, is investigating light rail as a potential future transport option. The Wellington tramway system originally operated in the city from 1878 to 1964.
Background
In 2008, a feasibility study produced by Greater Wellington Regional Council, the "Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Corridor Plan",[1] 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.[2][3] 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.[4] Mayor Justin Lester reaffirmed his support for light rail along the golden mile in 2018.[5] 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,[6] 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.[7]
See also
- 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
- "Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Corridor Plan" (PDF). GWRC. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- Nichols, Lane (18 October 2010). "Just how green will we go under Celia?". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- "New mayor's dream ride". The Dominion Post. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- "Greens plan light rail to Wellington Airport by 2027". 24 August 2017.
- Develin, Collette; Damian George (4 April 2018). "'Strong likelihood' of billion-dollar light rail system for Wellington, says mayor". The Dominion Post. Fairfax. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- "Mayor Justin Lester makes case for $6.4b Let's Get Wellington Moving project". 19 May 2019.
- "Greens transport policy includes light rail for Wellington, and daily trains to the provinces". Wellington Scoop. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.