By email
Shed 39,
2 Fryatt Quay
Pipit
ea, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1
1646
Manners St
reet
2 April 2019
Wellingt
on 6142
T 04 384 5708
File Ref: OIAP-7-10480
F 04 385 6960
www.gw.govt.nz
Andrew Crow
[FYI request #9760 email]
Dear Mr Crow
Request for information 2019-78
I refer to your request for information dated 4 March 2019, which was received by Greater
Wellington Regional Council on 4 March 2019. You have requested the following information:
1. Any information about cause of the ghost bus issues.
2 Any data that would show if this issue really has become worse since service changes.
3. Any information about what is being done about the ghost bus problem.
4. Any internal documents that refer the the words “ghost bus” I.E is this an informal term your
staff use.
5. Any statistics about canceled services before and after the service changes last year.
6. Any other relevant documents that might help the public understand why the bus service is so bad.
Greater Wellington Regional Council’s response follows
Information relating to the causes of ‘ghost buses’ is set out at section 3.2.3 of Report 19.72 –
Metlink service actives (Agenda item 8). Information relating to cancelled services is available at
Attachment 1 of Report 19.73 – Public Transport – operational performance (Agenda item 7):
http://www.gwrc.govt.nz/assets/council-
reports/Meeting_Documents/7547_Agenda_Sustainable%20Transport%20Committee%2020%20M
arch%202019,%20Order%20Paper.pdf
http://www.gwrc.govt.nz/assets/council-
reports/Meeting_Documents/7546_Agenda_Sustainable%20Transport%20Committee%2020%20Fe
bruary%202019,%20Order%20Paper.pdf (section 6.2 of Report 19.14 – Agenda item 8)
2019-078 ANDREW CROW RESPONSE
Staff at Greater Wellington Regional Council do use the term ‘ghost buses’ to refer to those buses
which drop off the Real Time Information display boards. There are internal documents which refer
to this term. Please advise if you require them.
Reports on the performance of the new network are contained in reports presented to the Council’s
Sustainable Transport Committee. These reports are available on line at:
http://www.gwrc.govt.nz/search-committee-
meetings/Form?committeeID=149&fromDate=&action_doMeetingSearch=+Search+Meetings
We will shortly commence stage two of the post implementation review. The primary focus of the
stage two review is to look at the network design and timetables with the community to see
determine if there are changes that can be made to better meet the needs of the community.
As set out in the terms of reference for the stage one review, the stage two review is also to include a
more thorough assessment of those attributes that impact the effectiveness and efficiency of
Wellington City and Hutt Valley bus services, including:
Contractual arrangements with operators (including employee protections and industrial
relations; performance indicators, incentives and abatements; and sharing of risk and reward)
Bus fleet composition and ownership
Depots and other operator-owned assets
Fare policies
Supporting technology and systems, including ticketing, real time information, journey
planning, and customer support; bus stops and shelters; and bus priority traffic measures.
Please let me know if there is any further information that you require.
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.
Yours sincerely
Greg Pollock
General Manager, Public Transport
2019-078 ANDREW CROW RESPONSE
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