The Green Party has developed a plan that aims to solve Wellington's commuter headaches by reducing traffic congestion on the controversial Western Corridor by half.
"It's so simple. The answer is right in front of us," Associate Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.
Ms Kedgley will launch a campaign to 'Fast Track the Trains' on the Kapiti line when she presents a submission to the Western Corridor hearings at the Greater Wellington Regional Council today. The campaign will feature a petition and e-card.
"Instead of bickering about two roading options that are either unaffordable or unconsentable, we want Wellingtonians to get behind a campaign to develop a rapid mass transit system on the Kapiti line."
"The numbers add up. At present, 13,000-14,000 people commute from Kapiti to Wellington by car during peak time, compared to just 5500 by train. Every full train bringing commuters into Wellington gets at least 330 cars off our roads. If we can get 12 trains running into the city during peak commuter times from Kapiti — one arriving every 10 minutes — that would provide the capacity for half of commuters to travel by rail or 4000 less cars during peak times each day.
"We need to make the Kapiti rail service a fast, reliable system that commuters will want to switch to. We want 50 percent of the total funding proposed for the Western Corridor package put into a major upgrade of the rail network, instead of the 6 percent currently earmarked for rail. The goal is to have 50 percent of peak time commuters travelling by rail every day. This will involve a major investment in new carriages, electrifying and double-tracking the rail to Otaki, new and refurbished stations, better park and ride facilities, and a light rail extension into central Wellington.
"Our 50/50 campaign will work. Overseas experience shows that once we upgrade our rail network, increase its peak time frequency to 10 minutes, and make our trains attractive and reliable, commuters will switch.
"Rail is the only sustainable transport option for the region. An electric powered rail network is affordable for commuters and not reliant on fossil fuels. By contrast, the two roading options would increase traffic congestion and urban sprawl, and increase carbon emissions and our reliance on oil. Pursuing roading options in the face of peak oil and climate change is not only unsustainable, it is foolhardy.
"We need to acknowledge that the world has changed, and pouring money into new motorways is half a century out of date. Let's harness that kiwi can-do attitude and go for the mass transit option — starting now!
Send an e-card today in support of this campaign
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