Campaign launched for direct Wainui to Wellington buses

National List MP based in Hutt South Chris Bishop has today launched a new campaign calling on the Regional Council to provide direct public buses to and from Wainuiomata to Wellington.

“Wainuiomata is about to lose its only direct bus service that goes direct to Wellington – the number 80. The service isn’t even operated by the Regional Council, but is run by a private provider (NZ Coach Services) without any subsidy.

“Wainuiomata is incredibly poorly served by public transport and the closure of the only direct bus service from this large and growing suburb to Wellington highlights years of failure by the Regional Council to look after Wainuiomata ratepayers.

“Over the hill, the 3,000 Eastbourne residents have access to regular and direct buses to Wellington in the morning and evening peaks. Meanwhile Wainuiomata, with a growing population of over 20,000, does not. How is this fair?

“Johnsonville provides another example. It is half the size of Wainuiomata’s population but has hundreds of direct buses to Wellington each week.

“It’s time for the Wellington Regional Council and Metlink to step up for Wainuiomata residents and ratepayers. Wainuiomata residents travelling to Wellington and wanting to use public transport have to make a trek to a train station. Unsurprisingly, many just drive, clogging the roads and increasing emissions.

“Wainuiomata is a growing and thriving suburb and ratepayers need and deserve a good and reliable public transport network to Wellington.

“My petition, which people can sign at https://chrisbishop.national.org.nz/wainuibus calls on the Regional Council to add direct subsidised public buses to and from Wainuiomata to Wellington.”