14 July 2022
File Ref: OIAP-7-24547
Rod Badcock
By email:
[FYI request #19680 email]
Tēnā koe Rod
Request for information 2022-078
I refer to your request for information dated 15 June 2022, which was received by Greater Wellington
Regional Council (Greater Wellington) on 15 June 2022. You have requested the fol owing:
“In February this year Cr. Daran Ponter facilitated a meeting with GWRC and Metlink about improving
integration of bikes with Trains in Greater Wel ington. This fol owed some detailed discussion on the
huge barriers and problems faced by people trying to use the Metlink service. This culminated in a
meeting on 1st March 2022 where various people from Greater Wel ington met and discussed
problems encountered, and potential solutions to all the problems. This was attended by Metlink,
GWRC and others (Chair Daran Ponter, Council or Roger Blakeley, Council or David Lee, Melissa
Anderson, Daniel Pou, Emmet McElhatton, Lisa Colebrooke, Patrick Morgan, Rod Badcock, Alex Dyer,
Tim Haiselden, Emma Osbourne).
An undertaking was made by GWRC to improve provision and take definitive actions to make
improvements and facilitate mode shift and multimodal transport. GWRC issued their own set of
minutes to this meeting on 14th April 2022.
Subsequently Samantha Gain took over from Scott Gallacher at Metlink, and Samantha Gain was
directly contacted on 21 May 2022 to enquire what actions have been taken to better place
multimodality, and facilitate more reasonable active transport provision on trains. In addition to that
request for feedback, a reminder of key issues was made
1. Bike racks on some train replacement buses are rubbish, unusable etc
2. Any sign of new policy on increasing carriage of bikes on trains?
This written request has remained unanswered.
Wellington office
Upper Hutt
Masterton office
0800 496 734
PO Box 11646
PO Box 40847
PO Box 41
www.gw.govt.nz
Manners St, Wel ington 6142
1056 Fergusson Drive
Masterton 5840
[Wellington Regional Council request email]
Given the case of a young family becoming stranded through Metlink, and the lack of provision for
multimodal access when train replacement services used - I again highlighted the details to Samantha
Gain on 25th May 2022 and requested an update with concrete actions and plans. This written
request remains both unacknowledged and unanswered.
I therefore am forced to resort to this much more formal method to ask specific questions, for each
item I would like to request:
1. What action is being planned?
2. Who has responsibility for enacting?
3. On what date were decisions made?
4. When wil actions be complete?
These answers will be in response to:
1. Planned bus replacements. I gave a case from 24th May where planned bus replacements did not
use buses fitted with bus bike racks which accommodate two unfolded bikes, demonstrating no
change in provision.
2. Unplanned bus replacements
3. Additional bicycle training for front line staff
4. Staff discretion for additional bikes on board
5. Bike excluded services review "We intend to implement any changes to services by 1 July 2022, to
allow for sufficient lead in time and public advertising."
6. Future Development of the rail network and provision of improved facilities
7. What interim solutions proposed by people at 1st March meeting are being considered”
Greater Wel ington’s response follows:
We would like to extend our apologies for not responding to your original request for information.
Due to an administrative error, your request was overlooked and never actioned. Please find below
our response to the information requested.
The responses to your original questions are below:
Bike racks on some train replacement buses are rubbish, unusable etc
Transdev have confirmed that all planned bus replacements (for any services that are bus replaced
due to planned maintenance work on the line) will use buses fitted with bus bike racks that
accommodate two unfolded bikes. Folded bikes may also be taken on board, but must not block
aisles or doorways, and may not occupy a seat.
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Any sign of new policy on increasing carriage of bikes on trains?
As it stands each train carriage has space for up to three bicycles, meaning that each two-car train
set can hold up to a total of 9 bicycles. It is restricted to this number so we can ensure that the three
bicycles per train carriage can be safely tied. On services that have lower patronage i.e. off-peak
services, the on-board train staff have discretion to allow more bicycles on, taking into account a
range of factors including if there is any need for wheelchair customers or prams. We have been
working with the on-board staff to ensure that discretion can be given if, for example a family needs
to board the train.
What action is being planned?
We are in the process of reviewing the current services which don’t currently carry bicycles,
however, there has been a large increase in patronage month on month since April, likely aided by
the half price fares currently in place. Once patronage figures stabilize, we can then accurately
reassess which services can carry bicycles.
Who has responsibility for enacting?
Metlink works in partnership with Transdev to address any issues in relation to bus replacement
services, this includes planning, operations, and customer feedback.
On what date were decisions made?
In relation to bike racks - The improvement to bus replacement services, including ensuring where
possible bike racks were fitted or suitable coach storage is provided, has been embedded into
Transdev’s business as usual planning.
When wil actions be complete?
This is already happening and wil be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The responses to your additional queries are below:
1. Planned bus replacements. I gave a case from 24th May where planned bus replacements did
not use buses fitted with bus bike racks which accommodate two unfolded bikes, demonstrating
no change in provision.
We have spoken with the bus operator contracted for planned bus replacements and they have
assured us that al buses now have bike racks fitted.
•
What action is being planned? – Discussion with bus operators to confirm requirements
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink/Transdev
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? - Complete
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2. Unplanned bus replacements
Our main priority is to ensure our passengers have an alternative transport option. We will always
attempt to source buses with bike racks fitted for unplanned bus replacements in the first instance.
However, this may not always be possible, particularly during the morning and evening peak periods.
•
What action is being planned? – Attempt to source buses with bike racks fitted for unplanned
bus replacements in the first instance
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink/Transdev
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? – Complete
3. Additional bicycle training for front line staff
We are working with Transdev on how we can assist improving their staff’s awareness of bicycle
customers on our network.
•
What action is being planned? – Working with Transdev on improving staff awareness of
bicycle customers on network
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink/Transdev
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? – Ongoing basis
4. Staff discretion for additional bikes on board
As mentioned above, on services that have lower patronage i.e., off-peak services, the on-board
train staff have discretion to allow more bicycles onboard.
•
What action is being planned? – N/A
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – N/A
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? – N/A
5. Bike excluded services review "We intend to implement any changes to services by 1 July
2022, to al ow for sufficient lead in time and public advertising."
The decision to review bicycle excluded services has been delayed due to patronage increases. Once
patronage levels stabilize, we wil be able to review these services.
•
What action is being planned? – Review bicycle excluded services
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? – Once patronage levels stabilize
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6. Future Development of the rail network and provision of improved facilities
Metlink currently has business cases to future proof the rail network. However, there has not been
any movement on funding from Central Government yet. If approved, this wil cover purchasing new
trains, upgrading infrastructure and allow the increase of both peak and off-peak frequencies. This
wil of course include how to best meet the requirements of passengers, including cyclists.
•
What action is being planned? – Future proof of the rail network
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When will actions be complete? – When/If funding is approved from Central Government
7. What interim solutions proposed by people at 1st March meeting are being considered
Our rail team have been reviewing patronage numbers and we have been working with Transdev to
ensure staff are aware of the rules in terms of allowing bikes on trains. Further to this we have
confirmed with all bus companies that all planned bus replacement services have bike racks installed.
•
What action is being planned? – Review Patronage numbers, ensure staff are aware of rules
in terms of allowing bikes on trains, confirmed that all planned bus replacement services will
have bike racks installed.
•
Who has responsibility for enacting? – Metlink/Transdev
•
On what date were decisions made? – N/A
•
When wil actions be complete? - Complete
If you have any concerns with the decision(s) referred to in this letter, you have the right to request
an investigation and review by the Ombudsman under section 27(3) of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information requests
where possible. Our response to your request wil be published shortly on Greater Wellington’s
website with your personal information removed.
Nāku iti noa, nā
pp Mel Anderson for Samantha Gain
Kaiwhakahaere Matua | General Manager Metlink
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