Greater Wellington — Transport plans and strategies

The way we live, work and move around our region is changing all the time, so we have a number of long term plans to make sure we’re well prepared for what’s ahead.

These documents are our transport policies and plans. They guide the work we do in the Wellington region to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of our community, in the present and for the future.

A man holding a baby talks to a Metlink staff member at Wellington Railway Station

Wellington Regional Land Transport Plan

Wellington Regional Public Transport Plan

Monitoring and evaluation

Metlink 2024 Asset Management Plan

Delivering a world-class, multi-modal public transport network of trains, buses, and ferries, that is fit for purpose for now and in the future requires ongoing investment. Metlink’s 2024 Asset Management Plan (AMP) communicates our 30-year investment plans for the prudent management of our public transport network assets for the period 2024 to 2054. The investment plans contained within the AMP promote and encourage people to move from private vehicles to public transport, maintains and improves access to public transport for all, and reduces public transport emissions by decarbonising the vehicle fleet.

The AMP is based on assumptions about the impact of the economy, population, and demographic change, increasing risk from environmental change and natural hazards, the growing focus on climate change and emissions, technological change, legislative change, governance, and partnership, and the Land Transport Management (Regulation of Public Transport) Amendment Act 2023.

The work programme and corresponding expenditure is based on identified needs and is derived from the expenditure in GWRC’s 2024-2034 Long Term Plan (LTP) and Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). At the time of writing this AMP, we have not received clarity on funding from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). If the funding from the NLTF changes from that allowed for in the LTP, the investment plans presented within the AMP will be reviewed and re-prioritised.

Metlink 2024 Asset Management Plan

Metlink 2022 Asset Management Plan

We are building an accessible, efficient, low carbon public transport network for the Wellington region. Our multi-modal public transport network of trains, buses, and ferries provides our communities with effective travel options to access jobs, education, healthcare, cultural activities, shops, friends, and whanau. Delivering a world-class accessible public transport network that is fit for purpose for now, and in the future, requires ongoing investment and equity through accessibility action planning.

Metlink’s 2022 Asset Management Plan (AMP) communicates our investment plans for the prudent management of our public transport network assets for the period 2022 to 2051. The investment plans contained within the AMP promote efficiency, inclusive access to public transport for all, increased mode shift to public transport, resilience, and security by managing the risks to our network from natural and human-made hazards, and contributing to the transition of New Zealand to a net zero carbon emissions’ nation.

The AMP is based on assumptions about the impact of population and demographic changes, the economy, climate change and natural hazards, technology, and legislative and governance changes that impact on our public transport network. The key initiatives and expenditure support our three strategic priorities of improving customer experience, increasing mode shift to public transport, and reducing public transport emissions by decarbonising the fleet.

To this end, the key challenges that we address in the AMP are:

Providing sufficient capacity to meet mode shift targets, and demand expectations
Meeting customer levels of service expectations
Efficiently delivering our extensive low carbon work programme.

Metlink 2022 Asset Management Plan

This Asset Management Plan (AMP) describes how we are building an efficient, accessible, and low carbon public transport network for the Wellington region. Our multi-modal public transport network of trains,… Read more here

Published 28 Sep 2022

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Metlink 2021 Asset Management Plan

We are building an efficient, accessible and low carbon public transport network for the Wellington region. Our multi-modal public transport network of trains, buses, and ferries provides our communities with effective travel options to access jobs, education, healthcare, cultural activities, shops, friends, and whanau. Delivering a world-class public transport network that is fit for purpose for now, and in the future, requires ongoing investment.

Metlink’s 2021 Asset Management Plan (AMP) communicates our 30-year investment plans for the prudent management of our public transport network assets for the period 2021 to 2051. The investment plans contained within the AMP promote efficiency, inclusive access to public transport for all, increased mode shift to public transport, resilience, and security by managing the risks to our network from natural and human-made hazards, and contributing to the transition of New Zealand to a net zero carbon emissions’ nation.

To this end, the key challenges that we address in the AMP are:

Providing sufficient capacity to meet mode shift targets and demand expectations
Meeting customer levels of service expectations
Efficiently delivering our extensive low carbon work programme.

Metlink Asset Management Plan 2021

This Asset Management Plan (AMP) describes how we are building an efficient, accessible and low carbon public transport network for the Wellington region. Our multi-modal public transport network of trains,… Read more here

Published 21 Oct 2021

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Land transport procurement strategy

This strategy provides the context for Greater Wellington's land transport procurement procedures, excluding for public transport services.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) requires Greater Wellington to develop and implement this strategy in order to assist us to comply with the procedures set out in NZTA's Procurement Manual. Taking a long-term integrated approach and following the procurement procedures ensures that our procurement delivers the best value for money.

Transport Procurement Strategy

This strategy sets out the strategic context for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) transport procurement. This strategy is a ‘living document’ and will be reviewed when material changes occur. Read more here

Published 08 Jul 2014

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Wellington Transport Model technical reports

The most recent Wellington Transport Models project was completed in 2015. The Wellington Transport Models include the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM).

The project consisted of three parts:

A data collection phase
The update of the WTSM to a 2013 base year and
Updating the WPTM to a 2013 base year.

The technical reports and notes outline the development processes for these models.

Technical Note 1: Data Collection

The technical note is part of a series documenting the 2013 update of the Wellington Transport Models, which are maintained by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC).

The transport models include the… Read more here

Published 31 Jan 2015

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Technical Note 2: Observed Commercial Vehicle Matrix Development

Published 26 Nov 2014

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Technical Note 3: Development of Base Year Networks

This technical note details the update of the road network and public transport services for the 2013 update of the Wellington regional transport models Wellington Transport Strategy Model – WTSM,… Read more here

Published 13 Jan 2015

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Technical Note 4: 2013 Commercial Vehicle Model Development

Published 17 Apr 2015

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Technical Note 5: Model Input Parameters

This technical note details the process used to update the input parameters into the Wellington transport models (WTSM – Wellington Transport Strategy Model & WPTM – Wellington Public Transport Model),… Read more here

Published 20 May 2015

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Technical Note 7: Production of WTSM 2013 Land Use Data

This technical note documents the preparation of the 2013 base year land use data input to WTSM.

Land use includes population, households and employment – all sourced from Census. It also… Read more here

Published 05 Nov 2014

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Technical Note 8: WTSM 2013 Validation

This technical note documents the validation of the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) as part of the 2013 update of the model. The validation process ensures that the WTSM is… Read more here

Published 01 Jul 2015

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Technical Note 9: WPTM 2013 Validation

This technical note documents the validation of the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) as part of the 2013 update of the model. The validation process ensures that the WPTM is… Read more here

Published 01 Jul 2015

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Technical Note 10: WTSM and WPTM Sensitivity Testing

Following the validation of the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) as part of the 2013 update, a number of sensitivity tests have been run… Read more here

Published 04 Aug 2015

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Technical Note 11 - WTSM 2013 Demographic Report

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) re-validated the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) from a 2011 to 2013 base year.

The subsequent stage of this project is the development of forecast versions… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2016

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Technical Note 12 - WTSM 2013 Model Testing Report

The 2011 Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) was updated to a 2013 base year by GWRC and TDG. The re-calibration of WTSM, involving the incorporation of updated heavy commercial vehicle… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2016

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Technical Note 13 – WPTM Model Calibration

The 2011 Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) have been updated to a 2013 base year by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Traffic Design… Read more here

Published 30 Apr 2016

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2013 WPTM WTSM Peer Review

The 2011 Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) have been updated to a 2013 base year by Greater
Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), along with Traffic Design… Read more here

Published 14 Jul 2016

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Previous Wellington Transport Model technical notes

WTSM and WPTM 2011 Technical Notes

The previous Wellington Transport Models project was completed in 2011/12. This project involved updating the WTSM to a 2011 base year and developing a new public transport model, WPTM.

The Technical Reports outline the development processes for these models. TN00 Model Development Report outlines how all the technical reports are related.

TN00_C3079 Model Development Report

The GWRC carry out a core transportation planning and land-use function within the Wellington Region and the use of transportation modelling tools and projections is a mechanism to assist with strategic… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN0_C3079 Model Investigation Report

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) has contracted the services of Opus and Arup to rebase and validate the Wellington Transport Strategic Model (WTSM) and to complete the development of the… Read more here

Published 30 Nov 2011

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TN1 Network Preparation FINAL

This technical note (TN) outlines the procedure used in preparing the networks for the 2011 Wellington Transportation Strategic Model (WTSM) update and the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM). Unlike the… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN2 Survey Sampling Methodology

Opus International Consultants Limited (Opus) and Arup Australia (Arup) were commissioned by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) to rebase the existing 2006 Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) to a new… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN5a Bus Intercept Survey Analysis

This technical note describes analysis of the bus intercept surveys. These intercept surveys were carried out to inform the development of the strategic Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) as part… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN5b Rail Intercept Survey Analysis

This technical note describes the cleaning and analysis of the rail intercept surveys that were carried out by TDG and Research NZ as part of the Wellington Public Transport Model… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN6 WPTM Specification

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN15 Input Parameters

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN16 WPTM and WTSM PT Assignment Comparison

The purpose of this note is to demonstrate that both the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) display similarities in their representation of travel… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN17 Validation Guidelines and Criteria - WTSM and WPTM

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN18 WTSM Calibration and Validation

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN19 WPTM Calibration and Validation

This technical note (TN) documents the calibration and validation of the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM). Whilst there are a lot of comparisons of modelled versus observed undertaken and reported on… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN19 WPTM C and V Addendum

The Wellington Transport Strategic Model (WTSM) and the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) are the modelling tools that have been updated / developed for Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC). The… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN20 WPTM Forecasting

The base year public transport (PT) demand matrix in WPTM was developed from observed data sources. As such, it is a highly reliable and accurate representation of current PT demand.… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN22 WPTM Sensitivity Testing

The Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and the Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) are the modelling tools that have been updated / developed for Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC). The… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN23 Future Year Base Networks and Services

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN24 Baseline Forecasting Report

Published 31 Dec 2013

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TN29 Demographic Inputs to WTSM with Appendices

A key input to the development of the WTSM model is land use data which is used in the development of trip matrices. Travel demand within the Wellington Strategic Transport… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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WTSM 2006 Technical Notes

WTSM 2006 ARUP Peer Review

Arup was appointed to peer review the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) 2006 Update. We have undertaken a detailed review and sensitivity testing.

Our overall assessment is that the updated model… Read more here

Published 23 Jun 2008

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WTSM 2006 Baseline Forecasting Report

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd to update the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) to a 2006 base year and to review, investigate and advise on… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2008

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WTSM 2006 Update Validation Report

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd to update the Wellington Transport Strategic Model (WTSM) to a 2006 base year and to review, investigate and advise on… Read more here

Published 30 Jun 2008

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WTSM 2001 Technical Notes

WTSM 2001 ARUP Forecasting Review

Arup was appointed by Wellington Regional Council to peer review the development of the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM). The development of the model was undertaken by Beca Carter Hollings… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2004

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WTSM 2001 ARUP Peer Review

Arup has been appointed by Wellington Regional Council to peer review the development of the Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM). The development of the model is being undertaken by Beca… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2004

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WTSM 2001 TN10_1 Preliminary Studies

The Technical Specification outlined a preliminary studies task whose purpose was to undertake preliminary analyses of the survey data in order to inform a number of detailed decisions on the… Read more here

Published 30 Nov 2002

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WTSM 2001 TN11_1 Technical Design

An effective means of controlling model developments is to pre-define as much of the work as possible, thus reducing later risks and reducing the likelihood of time being wasted on… Read more here

Published 31 Mar 2002

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WTSM 2001 TN16_1 Trip End

This paper describes the calibration of the trip end models (productions and attractions) for the purposes:

Home Based Work (HBW)
Home Based Education (HBEd)
Home Based Shopping (HBSh) - including personal business
Home Based… Read more here

Published 31 Jul 2003

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WTSM 2001 TN17_1 Distribution and Model

The WTSM trip distribution and mode choice models estimate the trip matrices by mode and purpose from the trip ends and network generalised costs. They have been calibrated as 24… Read more here

Published 31 Jul 2003

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WTSM 2001 TN19_1 Time Period

The demand models (trip end, distribution and mode choice) produce 24 hour person trip matrices by purpose and mode in production/attraction form (trips are ‘produced’ at home and ‘attracted’ to… Read more here

Published 31 Jul 2003

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WTSM 2001 TN22_1 Validation Report

Having estimated each sub-model independently, these sub-modules were linked together in a single model. This report describes the process of model error analysis used to de-bug the linked model in… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2004

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WTSM 2001 TN24_1 Base Forecast

The Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) has been updated to 2001 utilising 2001 census data, as well as specifically collected household survey and intercept survey travel data.

This update is fully… Read more here

Published 29 Feb 2004

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Park and Ride - Technical Notes

We are currently working on a new strategy for 'Park and Ride' in the Wellington Region. Several technical notes have been completed by consultants MR Cagney to inform our thinking on a new park and ride approach.

These are provided below:

Technical Note 1 - Why invest in Park and Ride

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) commissioned MRCagney to provide inputs into a Park and Ride Strategy (PaRS) for the Wellington Region, which will guide how GWRC invests in and manages… Read more here

Published 31 May 2018

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Technical Note 2 - When is park and ride the most appropriate intervention

Published 05 Jun 2018

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Technical Note 3 - Where should Park and Ride investment occur

Published 06 Aug 2018

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Technical Note 4 - How should Park and Ride be managed and designed

Published 31 May 2018

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Regional Transport Analysis

The following reports provide concise descriptions and current data on transport trends and patterns across the Wellington region:

Wellington cordon survey report 2019

This report presents the results of surveys collected annually during March for the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Wellington City Council (WCC) at selected collection points around the Wellington… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2020

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Transport Perceptions Survey 2019

This report summarises the results of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s 2019 Transport Perceptions survey. The survey was conducted online with members of Horizon Research’s HorizonPoll national panel and Maori Panel,… Read more here

Published 31 Aug 2019

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2017 Rail Survey - Park & Ride data note

In order to support the development of the Park & Ride Strategy, a specific analysis of the 2017 Rail Survey data has been undertaken.

The analysis can broadly be categorised into:

Time… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2018

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Wellington Rail Survey (2017) Analysis

GWRC commissioned a rail survey undertaken in June 2017 to gather information to better understand travel patterns and travel characteristics across the rail network.

A sample of 2,350 passengers completed the… Read more here

Published 31 Mar 2018

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Wellington Rail Passenger Survey 2017

This report details the findings of a recent survey of Metlink train passengers, undertaken on behalf of the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC). The objective of the survey was to… Read more here

Published 31 Jul 2017

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Report on the 2016 Tertiary Student Travel survey

This report presents the results of the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) online tertiary student travel survey conducted in October 2016. The purpose of the survey was to gather information… Read more here

Published 31 Mar 2017

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Wellington Transportation MSG report 2016

This executive summary covers the objectives, processes, achievements and suggestions for best practice relating to the Steering Group that the NZ Transport Agency requested be established to provide guidance for transport modelling… Read more here

Published 01 Mar 2016

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Household Travel Survey Questionnaire Comparison 2015

TDG have been tasked by Wellington Regional Council to compare the MoT, Wellington, Auckland, and Waikato Household Travel Surveys (HTS) in order to prepare a set of questions that will… Read more here

Published 30 Apr 2015

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Effects of Wellington Roads of National Significance Report 2015

Analysis completed recently in relation to the RLTP has assumed that all the RoNS are completed as programmed along with other transport projects in the region. Whilst such analysis helps… Read more here

Published 31 Aug 2015

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Wellington 2013 Census Journey to Work Document

This document has been developed as a reference guide for transport planners in the region. It provides a summary of 2013 Census journey to work (JTW) travel patterns, and includes… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2014

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Wellington 2013 Census Journey to Work Appendices

Wellington 2013 Census Journey to Work Maps

Wellington Region Walking Report 2001-2015

Every day, most people walk somewhere. People walk for many different purposes and for a wide range of distances. The purposes for walking trips include getting from home to work… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2016

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Wellington Region Cycling Report 2001-2012

Research shows that cycling has many potential benefits, both for communities and individuals. Cycling can play a critical role in promoting mobility, creating healthy lifestyles, reducing traffic congestion and emissions,… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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Wellington Rail Report 2011-2012

In 2011 customer travel survey data were collected for the railway lines that feed into Wellington City. The data were collated into a report produced by Opus and Arup for… Read more here

Published 31 Dec 2013

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Updated July 24, 2025 at 10:29 AM

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Email:: info@gw.govt.nz