Ratepayers 'will pay' to keep trolley buses
Wellington residents, and retailers along the central city's Golden Mile,would support a rates rise to continue funding trolley buses, a report to the Wellington Regional Council's passenger transport commitee says.
The report, conducted by consultant Carolyn O'Fallon, surveyed more than 1100 residents and almost 300 businesses to determine whether they were prepared to pay more to keep trolley buses running.
Dr O'Fallon's report was conducted because the contract with Stagecoach ro run the trolley buses is due to expire next June.
If the contract is not renewed then diesel buses are likely to be placed on the routes.
The regional council's annual plan for 1997-98 also ruled out funding the extra cost of trolley buses, $1.1 million a year more than diesel buses, after that date.
However, pressure from lobby groups meant the council decided it would not change it's policy till after further consultation.
Dr O'Fallon said that of the 655 resident respondents, 52 per cent favoured the retention of trolley buses over diesel.
Ratepayers would also be prepared to pay up to an additional $15 a household to keep the trolley buses after 2004, she said.
Shop keepers along the Golden Mile, between Lambton Quay, Willis St and Courtney Place, also indicated they would pay up to $200 more in rates to keep the trolley buses.
She said respondents also favoured the introduction of hybrid electric buses, which are trolley buses with off wire capabilities, though diesel buses were cheaper to run.
However, if trolley buses were to be retained, accessibility, particularily for people with disabilities, had to be considered, she said.
It was up to the council to decide the trade off it wanted to make between meeting environmental goals and issues of accessibility.
The council decided to hold a workshop on the trolley bus issue and wait for more information from Transport Ministry emission tests and clarification of Transfund's funding policies.
Get your own Free Homepage