16 Jun 2021

Regional Council wants buses back in public ownership

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 16 June 2021
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Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Wellington Regional Council is pushing the government to put buses and bus infrastructure back into public ownership.

The capital's bus system continues to struggle with driver shortages - which have led to cancelled buses and changes to the timetables.

There have also been strikes amid recent pay talks between NZBus and the union - a deal was reached yesterday, confirmed to RNZ by the Tramways Union.

The Government is reviewing the Public Transport Operating Model which was introduced in 2013 to encourage competition between companies for long-term council contracts for bus services. 

 Submissions close on Friday, and the Wellington Regional Council will be pushing for a return to public ownership.  Kathryn talks with Chair of the Wellington Regional Council Daran Ponter.