Greens celebrate funding revolution for Canterbury public transport and cycleways

The Green Party has welcomed greater investment for Canterbury in clean, green transport choices like walking, cycling, and public transport.

“It is fantastic to see over $200 million earmarked for the Canterbury region for more investment in public transport, walking and cycling; and $127 million being put into buses and improving the public transport network,” Christchurch based Green MP, Eugenie Sage said today.

“Public transport in Christchurch and Timaru is long overdue for more investment to create a more effective and accessible bus network and services after a major decline in patronage post ‘quakes.

“People want to see more reliable, frequent bus services, so the boost in public transport funding is a great initiative.

“We’ve seen public transport become hugely popular in Auckland on the back of big changes and improvements. That needs to be replicated in Canterbury. Investigating how to further improve public transport can help grow the network and patronage.

“More and more people are cycling in Christchurch so the extra $28 million the Government is investing in a safe, separated cycle network is very welcome,” she said.

“Well done to Julie Anne Genter, the Green’s Associate Minister for Transport for her fantastic work on this with Labour and NZ First.”

Investment highlights (sourced from the NLTP 2018-21 Regional Factsheet):

$175 million for public transport, a 24 percent boost on the previous three years, to deliver more frequent and reliable buses.
Investigation of further improvements to the public transport network in Christchurch and Timaru.
$28 million to continue to expand the cycleway network in Christchurch.
$7 million for progressing An Accessible City programme to deliver on Christchurch’s aspirations of a cycle and pedestrian friendly city centre.

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing New Zealand.

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Transport Announcements

Story

Greens secure win for clean transport

The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules.

Another Green transport idea gets the green light

The Government’s announcement today that it will improve Christchurch’s bus system comes after Green and NGO pressure.

Climate action must remain priority in transport investment

As large parts of Aotearoa recover from two of the worst climate disasters we have ever experienced, it would be a huge mistake for the Government ...

Scrapping biofuels means Government must do better for people and climate

The Green Party supports the decision to stop work on the biofuels mandate.

Make fares half price for everyone, for good

The Green Party will continue to prioritise affordable public transport for everyone.

Next Waitematā Harbour crossing must be climate-friendly

The Minister for Transport can show climate leadership and consider only the lowest carbon ways of crossing Waitematā harbour.