Leading Wellington 1998 - 2001 City Voice Local Body Election Guide

The regional council currently pays Stagecoach a subsidy of about $1 million a year to operate 60 electrically powered trolley buses, about one third of the company's 192 Wellington buses. This cost is expected to rise by a further $400 - $500,000 a year if the current trolley buses are replaced over the next five years, raising the cost per Wellington City household from $8 to $15 a year (after taking out the costs paid by commercial ratepayers). A survey conducted for the council in August found that 49% of residents are prepared to pay $8 a year for trolley buses, against only 30% who are not prepared to pay this. Opinion was evenly split (39% - 37%) when people were asked whether they were willing to pay $15 a year to keep the trolley buses.

If elected, would you vote to:

• Renew the trolley bus contract and meet the extra cost either rates or new funding sources; OR
• Renew the trolley bus contract and meet the extra cost thru higher fares; OR
• End the trolley bus contract; OR
• Other (please speciy).

Toni Atkinson (Green): Retain
Magaret Bonner (labour): Retain
Mike Gibson (Independent): Extend lives of remaining trolley buses by confining them to fewer routes.
Bob Henare (Citizens): Phase out and replace with modern diesel buses.
Chris Laidlaw (Independent): Retain
Terry McDavitt: Retain; electric buses eventually.
Euan McQueen (Independent): Retain, pending more study.
Duran Pointer (Labour): Retain, until flexible electric buses available.
Roland Sapsford (Green): Retain
Tony Simpson (Alliance): Retain
Russell Taylor (Alliance): Retain & extend; add trams, rail, free bikes. Seek Transalta sponsorship.
Jim Turner (Labour): Retain
Martyn Turner (Citizens): Apply the subsidy to the most effective type of bus, whether trolley or diesel.

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