Real time passenger information system – construction funding

Applicant

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Purpose

To seek the Board's approval for funding the implementation of Greater Wellington Regional Council's real time passenger information system across public transport bus and rail services in the Wellington Region

Date of decision

26 November 2008

Resolutions

The NZ Transport Agency Board:

1. approves funding for the implementation of Greater Wellington Regional Council's real time information system project at an estimated cost of $10.85 million and a financial assistance rate of 60% (New Zealand Transport Agency's share $6.51 million) from R funds and an additional funding assistance rate of 20% (NZTA's share $2.17 million) to support the local share from C1 funds, giving an effective funding assistance rate for the project of 80% (NZTA share $8.68 million);
2. approves funding for the operating costs associated with the project, estimated at $1.60 million per year, for a period of five years starting in 2009/10, with a right of renewal for a further two years, and a financial assistance rate of 60% (NZTA share $0.96 million per year) from N funds;
3. requests the Chief Executive to provide the Board with a benchmarking assessment of the proposal against comparable systems in other cities;
4. notes that the 95th percentile capital cost is estimated at $14 million and the 5th percentile cost is $8 million;
5. notes the reasons for this decision are as set out in the Reasons for recommendation section; and
6. agrees to keep Board paper 08/11/0096 In Committee until Greater Wellington Regional Council has been informed of the Board's decision and the Board has published the notice of decision.

Reason for the decision

The assessment profile for the project has been determined as being of high seriousness and urgency, medium effectiveness and low efficiency.

GWRC's project represents a significant opportunity to make progress towards meeting the regional modal share targets set out in the Regional Land Transport Strategy 2007-2016, which also assist the achievement of NZTS and GPS targets.

The introduction of this project plays an important part in increasing the attractiveness and reliability of public transport in the Wellington region. More importantly, it will encourage the use of public transport by allowing passengers to plan journeys and minimise waiting time.

The project integrates with a number of major public transport capital improvement projects currently underway, such as assisting with the introduction of Wellington City's Bus Priority project. It will provide a timely opportunity to capitalise on the delivery of these projects in 2010/11 and in so doing it will significantly raise the profile of public transport in the Wellington region.

We confirm that the matters in sections 20(2) and 20(5) of the LTMA have been satisfied and that the matters in section 20(3) have been taken into account.

If you would like details of how the assessment profile for this activity was determined, please email us at boardsecretariat@nzta.govt.nz.