[xh} Wellington councils consider bus lanes for waterfront
Many of Metlink's buses currently run along the Golden Mile (between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place). Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington
Wellington city and regional councils are considering a plan to build bus priority lanes along main roads near the waterfront.
Currently, many of the Metlink's buses flow along the Golden Mile (between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place), with peak capacity in the area expected to be reached in 2025.
The councils are looking at developing what they are calling a "second spine" of bus priority lanes between Aotea and Jervois Quays.
It comes after accelerating the capital's bus corridors was advocated for to ministers and indicated in the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter said they needed to increase capacity for growth.
"The bus network is going to grow as population increases as we endeavour to move more people out of cars and onto public transport."
Ponter told RNZ if they did not look to address the issues on the Golden Mile they would just have "utter congestion".
He would like to have a detailed proposal to put forward by 2025.
For Greater Wellington's 2024 Long Term Plan review, a budget of up to $88 million over 10 years will be considered for bus priority initiatives.