Thinking Sustainable Wellington

“Mayoral candidate [for Wellington] Celia Wade-Brown today unveiled plans to roll out a light rail

transport network in Wellington by 2020. … She is proposing a new light rail line that will run from the

railway station to Courtenay Place via the Golden Mile, onwards to the hospital and Newtown, through

Kilbirnie to the airport. … ‘We know from overseas case studies that light rail not only improves the

transport infrastructure, it also drives good environmental stewardship and economic transformation. In

the US and Europe many cities have discovered that light rail improves property values, draws in new

businesses, and improves the quality of life for commuters and residents alike. She said that Lambton

Quay, Courtenay Place and Adelaide Road will be more vibrant and more pleasant places to live, work

and shop as a result of the light rail system, while the trains will be able to carry nearly double the

passengers of the existing congested bus network. There will also be significant benefits for

Wellingtonians accessing the new Indoor Community Sports Centre, and tourists and business people

arriving at the airport will have a fast, convenient and cost-effective way to get into town.”

Ref: Trans-Action Bulletin #97, 6/7/10