Making the switch

File under: transport, sustainability, Wellington

Greater Wellington's Regional Land Transport Strategy Annual Monitoring Report for the 2005/06 financial year has just been released, and while that doesn't sound like the most exciting document, the following headline figures are well worth noting:

• The total number of cars travelling into the Wellington CBD during the morning commuter period decreased by 8%
• Greater Wellington's road congestion dropped to 2003 levels across most periods of the day
• All-day average congestion decreased 17% (from 25 seconds to 21 seconds delay per kilometre travelled)
• Peak-time passenger trips by all public transport modes increased by more than 1.9 million trips (11.6%)

So why exactly do we need all those expensive new roads? Of course, that was before petrol prices started dropping again, and before Metlink's confusing and controversial fare rises and restructuring, but it's a clear sign that shifting from private to public transport can reduce congestion, and that given the right economic incentives, Kiwis can give up their "love affair with the car". We just need to make sure that the public transport system can cope when that happens.