Boost for Christchurch public transport

Ōtautahi - Christchurch’s public transport infrastructure work will be accelerated following a $78 million funding injection.

Minister for Transport Michael Wood says today the funding to boost the greater Christchurch public transport futures programme.

“The programme helps make greater Christchurch an even better place to live by reducing carbon emissions with more transport choices,” he said.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says “they need to get more people onto public transport and investment is a win for Christchurch and the environment.

“Our transport system plays an important part in shaping the greater Christchurch area as we grow, enabling movement of people into and around the city and the neighbouring Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.”  

A combined business case was endorsed by the greater Christchurch councils (Christchurch city, Selwyn district, Waimakariri district and Environment Canterbury) in 2020 and by the Waka Kotahi Board in 2021.

The funding has been allocated to accelerate four main areas of the PT Futures work programme over a five-to-six year period, around half the time originally anticipated.

These include on-road infrastructure to prioritise buses in high congestion areas, real time display units, bus stop enhancements, and multi-modal infrastructure such as walking/scootering then catching a bus.

Waka Kotahi will be working with the partners in 2023 to further refine the programme acceleration details.

Work is also underway through the whakawhanake kāinga komiti (urban growth

partnership for greater Christchurch) on the development of the greater Christchurch spatial plan, which brings together planning for land use, centres and transport in urban areas, including a potential ‘turn up and go’ mass rapid transit system.

The partnership is seeking resident’s views through the huihui mai engagement until March 26 on how greater Christchurch can accommodate and plan for a growing population to inform the development of this work. More information at www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz.