By email
Shed 39, 2 Fryat Quay
Pipitea, Wellington 6011
PO Box 11646
25 July 2018
Manners Street
Wellington 6142
T 04 384 5708
File Ref: OIAP-7-6251
F 04 385 6960
www.gw.govt.nz
Oliver Ewert
[FYI request #8368 email]
Dear Mr Ewert
Request for information OIA 2018-136
I refer to your request for information dated 22 July 2018, which was transferred from
Wellington City Council to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) on 23 July 2018.
You have requested the following information:
“This request is in relation to the blue lights installed on some of the new busses operating in
Wellington. Specifically in relation to claims made by members of the public that these have
health or accessibility impacts on members of the public.
What, if any research has been done by Wellington City Council on the use of coloured
lighting on public transport such as busses. Please include:
If such research has been conducted.
When it was conducted.
If research was done specifically into any health or accessibility issues associated with use
of or prolonged exposure to coloured lighting.
By whom such research was conducted.
How much budget was allocated and / or spent on such research.
Reports, summaries and citations related to such research.”
GWRC’s response follows:
The blue lights on some of the new buses are not a GWRC specification, but are a safety
feature that has been included by one of the bus manufacturers. Hence no research was
undertaken by GWRC into the use or otherwise of blue lights on buses. Therefore, the
information you have requested is not able to be supplied and your request has been refused in
accordance with section 17(e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act 1987 (the Act), on the ground that the requested information does not exist.
RESPONSE TO OIA 2018-136
We take the safety and welfare of our customers and drivers very seriously. The use of blue
lights reduces windscreen glare for drivers to improve visibility when driving at night. Buses
in Auckland from the same manufacturer, which have been operating for over a year, also
have this feature and Auckland Transport have reported no instances of health complaints
from the blue lights in Auckland. The use of blue lights in buses is also not uncommon
overseas.
Notwithstanding their use elsewhere, as a result of the concerns that have been raised by some
customers, we will be conducting some desktop research to ascertain if there is a reported link
between blue lights on buses and health effects on customers. Should evidence point to
negative health effects or we receive substantial customer feedback seeking a change, we will
review the situation with operators.
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 Act.
Yours sincerely
Wayne Hastie General Manager, Public Transport
RESPONSE TO OIA 2018-136
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