The unwillingness of Wellington's regional councillors to show accountability for the region's bumbling bus network means it's time for a Crown Observer to step in, National MPs Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis say.
"The briefing Greater Wellington Regional Council gave to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee today did nothing to quell concerns about continuing network failures," Mr Bishop says.
"It is time for Transport Minister Phil Tywford to reconsider appointing a Crown Observer to oversee the network repairs and get the level of service back to where it needs to be.
"Acting regional council chairperson Barbara Donaldson appeared blind to what is going on around her, telling the committee that 'Wellington's bus service is in pretty good shape'.
"This is despite the council's own data showing 37 bus services are being cancelled each day and more than 10 per cent of Wellington buses are running late. Buses in outer suburbs are also failing to meet on-time targets.
Ms Willis says a Crown Observer would have the power to help the council resolve these problems, to monitor progress and to make recommendations to the Government about further action that may be needed.
"I regularly hear stories from people waiting in the rain for buses that are delayed, overcrowded, or just haven't shown up. I have had Wellingtonians tell me they have purchased cars for the first time in their lives due to the current unreliability problems.
"The continued buck-passing between regional councillors and city councillors is growing tiresome, with Cr Donaldson saying 'bureaucracy moves slowly'. That's not good enough.
"The regional council continues to show it is unable to solve these problems itself. Mr Twyford cannot continue to look the other way while bus users are left in the lurch.
"If this Government wants New Zealanders to become more reliant on public transport then it needs to ensure services are up to scratch. So far, it is failing to do this in Wellington."
