Wednesday March 14, 2018
Council and MPs focused on retaining services By Dan Whitfield
With NZ Bus proposing to cut its Hutt Valley connection of the Airport Flyer bus route, Lower Hutt mayor Ray Wallace, councillor Campbell Barry, Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, and Labour list MP Ginny Anderson are ready to fight. The four represented Hutt Valley residents at a discussion with Greater Wellington Regional Council last week about what’s happening with the commuter services in Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt. The company, which operates the Airport Flyer service, recently announced it was proposing to no longer operate the service from Lower Hutt and change it to a route between Wellington airport and the railway station. The Airport Flyer currently runs daily between the airport and Queensgate Mall in
Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry, Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, Lower Hutt mayor Ray Wallace, and Labour list MP Ginny Andersen. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Lower Hutt. Already Campbell’s petition to save the service has gained a lot of support. So far more than 10,000 people have signed the petition and there is hope the community will continue to support. The goal is to reach 15,000 signatures. Between the fou r Hutt Valley representatives they
are focused on making sure services are retained. Ray says he is working closely with council and our local MPs, Chris Bishop and Ginny Andersen, to ensure a positive outcome on this issue. Chris has also expressed his concerns for the service to continue. “It’s not just the Airport Fly-
er at risk - but also the Hutt’s direct commuter buses into Wellington from Wainuiomata, Upper Hutt, and Stokes Valley,” Chris says. Chris has also started a petition that he hopes will send a message to the regional council, NZ Bus and Tranzit, the proposed new operator of the services. “It’s vital we retain these
On our way to a new bus network for region The coming months will see a major upgrade of Greater Wellington’s public transport network, the first major changes to our public transport services and infrastructure in 20 years. Greater Wellington Regional Council’s sustainable transport chairwoman Barbara Donaldson says: “We’re on our way to an integrated public transport network, and that means a new look and new services for Metlink that are focused on what customers have told us they want.” A key part the network will be to give people a new and better public transport system
that will help commuters, students, visitors and day-trippers to connect to what’s great in the region, Barbara says. “It will be simpler, more connected and consistent, giving our customers more choice about where and when to travel. “The use of buses, trains and ferries is predicted to increase significantly between now and 2024. To keep our customers’ lives connected we need a public transport network that can carry more of us to more places, every day of the week.” Barbara says the changes have been years in the planning and are based on
conversations with customers who live in the Wellington region, as well as looking at what international cities do. “They include new timetables and routes to ensure more frequent services that better connect with each other, new buses that are right-sized to the task, new generation electric buses, and Snapper as the most convenient and best value way to pay on all Metlink buses. “We also need to be realistic – these changes will take a while to bed down and there may be a few sticking points along the way. For some of us, some changes may take a bit of getting used to.
WAINUIOMATA CRICKET CLUB
Old Timer’s Day Saturday 17 March
Back due to popular demand! Be pretty for Easter weekend!
MARCH Only! EYE TRIO only $25!
AND be in the draw for an Easter Prezzie Pack!
Call us today! Available until 29/3/18! 04 564 4665 | 027 470 5923 bella.beauty@xtra.co.nz bella.beauty1 136 Main Road, Wainuiomata
Beginning at 4pm at Bryan Heath Park A light BBQ will be provided.
All past players, coaches, managers are welcome.
“We will be doing our best every day to make things better and promise to give you as much information and help that you need along the way.” The bus changes are rolling out in three phases – Wairarapa from April 30, the Hutt Valley and Eastbourne from June 17, and in Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti from July 15. “Our new network is designed to offer our customers the best of our region. “It will give us all a smoother and more comfortable travel experience. That will help our region grow and prosper, benefitting the lives of everyone in Greater Wellington.”
inbrief news Stay safe at Rona Bay Rona Bay is a great place to hang out and escape the summer heat but one or two visitors may have been pushing their luck. Contractors working on the refurbishment of the wharf have noticed the odd swimmer and kayaker under the wharf or far too close to it. On at least one occasion someone has climbed around the fenced off entrance to the wharf to go fishing. Rona Bay Wharf is closed to the public until the end of the year while the 110-year-old structure is being refurbished.
Five arrested for drug dealing Police have arrested five Wellingtonians and restrained hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets following a long-running investigation into the importation and sale of a Class C drug. The operation began in November and focussed on the importation of N-Ethylpentylone into the Wellington region. Police arrested four men and one woman, aged between 25 and 37. Two of the men have been charged with a range of drug-related offences, including importing a class C controlled drug into New Zealand. The other three are to appear — the men on drug-related offences and the woman on a money laundering charge. Police also restrained a substantial amount of property, including over $405,000 cash, about 6kg of N-Ethylpentylone and seven vehicles. Also restrained was over $200,000 of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
NZers keep on giving Kiwi pet lovers have donated nearly $130,000 through Animates’ Tree of Hope initiative for the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust and the SPCA. The funds raised will allow the trust to help more Kiwis with physical disabilities get the support they need, and the SPCA to rescue, rehome and rehabilitate animals in need in often over-stretched centres. Jacqui Baigent, Animates’ national manager of brands and partnerships, is grateful for the continued support from the community.
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