Have your say on public transport 2052
On-demand public transport, zero-emission buses, ferries, cycling and more are on the agenda as Queenstown looks to the future of how its residents and visitors get around without cars.
Early next year, public consultation opens on a plan for how public transport should evolve in the tourist town over the next 30 years.
The Queenstown Public Transport Business Case, which covers potential spending over the first 15 years, is being created Way to Go, the umbrella organisation pulling together Otago Regional Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (WK).
It has commissioned consultants WSP New Zealand and Australia.
The business case will inform investment decisions in the public transport network, detailing what it could look like by 2052, how it can be decarbonised, where on-demand services should be considered, the future capacity and configuration of bus hubs, and other modes of low-emission, active or shared transport.
It will also consider who should own and operate the services and how they can be funded.
The $2 bus service, operated by ORC, has been dogged by problems over the past year, with driver shortages forcing the council to reduce the timetable and cut services on the fly.
ORC GM Operations Dr Gavin Palmer says the business case is “much broader than the current challenges the sector is dealing with right now”.
“This work ultimately aims to significantly grow the number of people in and around Queenstown using public transport, or walking and cycling, over the next 30 years.
“It will help provide part of the blueprint to support behaviour change, achieve lower emissions, and create a sustainable future for the district.
“It’s a challenging target, so we need to keep working on this.”
The business case is due to be completed in August 2023, with the final outcome presented to ORC but agreed by Way to Go, and contingent on funding.
QLDC Transport Strategy Manager and Way to Go Programme Manager Tony Pickard says the work will ensure the “right investment is made in the right service” for the community.
Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Richard Osborne says it will support its massive New Zealand Upgrade Programme, which is reshaping Frankton Road and SH6, improving public transport infrastructure.
Last week, Central Government approved $11.8 million more in funding for active travel in the district.
Some $10.3m will be used to improve the cycle path from along Gorge Road out to Arthurs Point, while $1.5m will further scope options to improve active travel links in Wānaka.
And, for more leisurely cycling, it was confirmed late last week that the 35km Kawarau Gorge Trail has been given the green light after objections in the Environment Court were settled.
It will link Queenstown’s trails network to the new Dunstan Trail between Clyde and Cromwell. Construction is expected to begin next year. The first cyclists could be on the trail by 2025, although it’s expected to be a difficult project to build through the gorge.
