Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan

Summary of submissions

Following the hearings, the hearings panel compiled a summary of the submissions and a series of recommended changes to the draft Plan, which will be put forward to the Greater Christchurch Public Transport Joint Committee at its meeting on Monday December 3.

The Joint Committee will consider these recommendations before approving the plan and putting it forward to the Environment Canterbury Council for consideration and adoption at its council meeting on Thursday December 13.

The key themes that came through in submissions and the recommended changes are listed below. You can read the full report here.

Rail

The NZ Transport Agency, Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council and Waimakariri District Council are working together to investigate advanced rapid transit technologies which could include rail, through the Future Public Transport Business Case process.

There were a significant number of submissions relating to requests for service improvements through route changes or scheduling amendments, as well as for the hours of service for public transport to be extended, particularly in the evenings and during weekends.

These requests have all been noted by the hearings panel and referred to Environment Canterbury to be considered as part of the network review process beginning in 2019.

Inclusiveness

Bus priority

There was strong agreement from submitters on introducing zero-emission vehicles to the public transport fleet. In fact, many suggested the draft Plan’s proposed timeframe of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles is not quick enough.

The panel endorses an ‘as fast as practicable’ approach to rolling out zero-emission vehicles, taking into consideration limitations around funding and competing considerations. It also notes that the Plan’s focus on achieving higher patronage, encouraging more people out of single occupancy vehicles and into alternatives like public transport, will help to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to environmental outcomes.

The panel has requested that the Plan is changed to reflect stronger wording – a move to zero-emission vehicles rather than encourage – and has requested that Environment Canterbury investigate and incentivise the rollout of zero-emission vehicles as part of its procurement process.

Fares

During consultation we heard many different thoughts on which groups are most deserving of cheaper fares such as those with disabilities, lower-income groups and families, and students/youth.

Maintaining fares at the lowest possible rate across the board is a key goal.

The fare review signalled in the draft Plan, to be undertaken within 12 months of adoption, will take a closer look at the approach to fares and concessions. The panel also recommends increasing the age for the child concession to under 19, rather than under 18, to be inclusive of secondary school students who are over 18. Fare changes are subject to annual planning processes.

Funding

Canterbury is a wonderful place to live, and it is becoming even better as we progressively reshape our city.

Within the next five years, our central city attractions will open—Tūranga, our new Central Library, the Town Hall, Te Pae Convention Centre, Taiwhanga Rehia Metro Sports Centre, and the multi-use stadium. That means a lot more people enjoying what our city has to offer.

In the next 30 years, population growth will add another 150,000 people to Greater Christchurch. If we keep thinking the way we do now, more people means more cars on our roads, but it is clear that we can’t build our way out of congestion.

It’s time for a big shift in how we think about transport.

How: increase the number of people using public transport and reduce the carbon footprint of public transport by shifting to low or zero emission vehicles.

How: greater priority for public transport on high demand routes and a highquality travel experience. As the population grows, rapid transit may be added to improve travel times along key corridors to and from the city.

How: provide more frequent public transport services so that more people can get to workplaces, shopping, education and recreation within 30 minutes travel time.

How: trial and introduce new transport and technology initiatives with lower environmental impacts, greater safety and lower costs.

How: expand the network at a rate the community can afford, with cost effective new services and infrastructure that is financially sustainable for ratepayers and funding agencies.

On Saturday 22 September, for World Car-free Day, travel on Metro is free. Leave the car at home, take the bus, and it will cost you absolutely nothing.

Why? It’s time to have your say on Canterbury’s draft Public Transport Plan. The Plan takes our city into its sustainable future, and it asks your thoughts on things like more frequent buses, quicker trips, and a shift to zero emission vehicles.

Saturday is a great opportunity to give public transport a go for free, to get you to where you need to be. We’ve had a look at a few things happening around the city, and how you could get there by bus:

• The Extravaganza Fair hits Christchurch on Saturday – a fun-filled, family event – with free entry! Held at the Gap Filler site at 202 Gloucester Street, the fair is a short 5-minute walk from the Manchester Street super stops, or a 10-minute walk from the Bus Interchange.

• Heading to Katchafire at the Bedford Bigtop? Located on the corner of Madras and Gloucester Streets, just a 5-minute walk from the Manchester Street super stop, or a 10-minute walk from the Bus Interchange, how about leaving the car at home and taking the bus for free?

• Bill Bailey is in town this Saturday evening with his new comedy and music performance, Earl of Whimsy, at Horncastle Arena. If you’re planning to head along, the Orbiter is a great option to travel to Horncastle Arena, with bus stops on Whiteleigh Ave only a 10-minute walk to the venue.