About Us » Metlink

Metlink

Proudly part of Greater Wellington

(external link)Greater Wellington(external link), under the brand name Metlink, brings a public bus, rail and ferry transport network to the wider Wellington region, including Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa.

We work with our transport operators to deliver a connected, integrated network with patronage across all modes growing at a rapid rate.

We continuously refine and improve our network based on customer research and feedback. Our goal is to deliver an effective, efficient, and integrated public transport network for the people of Wellington.

See more detail about plans, business cases, reports and programmes on the Greater Wellington website.

Greater Wellington website(external link)

Projects Timeline

Check out our interactive projects map and articles to find out what we’re doing to build a better transport network. It’s going to take time, but in the not too distant future, your journey around our region will be so much better. New trains, better buses and bus stops, and more tracks in and out of Wellington Railway Station - there are big improvements in store for your journey.

Our Partners

The Council works in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency to plan and fund the region’s public transport network. We work closely with the following local government agencies to deliver public transport services and infrastructure in their areas:

Our network

Metlink is the Wellington region’s public transport network of bus, train and harbour ferry service. The Metlink network has 5 rail lines, nearly 100 public bus routes, more than 180 school bus services, and 4 harbour ferry wharves.

Metlink operates nearly 150 dedicated school bus routes serving 83 schools in the Wellington region, in addition to public bus routes serving the rest of the region.

Bus network

The bus network underwent huge changes in July 2018, with many routes changing to better serve the changing needs of a growing metropolitan city. Refinements to routes and updates to timetables are continually improving, as we work hard to create the best network for our customers.

More information about bus contracts and a list of bus routes by operator can be found on the Regional Council website.

Greater Wellington bus contracts information(external link)

Metlink buses

The Metlink fleet of over 450 lime and yellow buses carry passengers around the region. Buses of many different sizes, including double deckers and electric buses, run over 3700 services carrying nearly 100,000 passengers on the average weekday. In fact, 24.8 Million people used our buses during 2018/19. In addition, we operate nearly 150 dedicated school bus routes serving 83 schools.

Bus stops and shelters

Bus stops and shelters are mostly owned and maintained by local city councils, but some are owned by Metlink. All bus stops will be clearly marked with a bus stop number and a timetable for the routes that serve that stop. Bus interchanges (formerly known as hubs) are located at key points in the network where transferring between services is easiest. You can expect the bus interchanges to be sheltered, well-lit spaces, making transferring between buses safer and more comfortable.

Our Operators

Bus operators

Kinetic (formerly known as NZ Bus)(external link)

Tranzurban(external link)

Mana Coach Services(external link)

Uzabus(external link)

To view the list of bus routes by operator, please see the PDFs under "Which operators were awarded units" on the Greater Wellington Regional Council website below:

List of bus routes by operator(external link)

Train operator

Transdev Wellington(external link)

Customer Commitments [PDF, 155 KB]

Wellington Rail Network

Wellingtonians and visitors take more than 14 million passenger journeys a year on the Wellington Metro Rail Network. Rail transport provides many benefits to the region from connecting people and businesses, taking cars and trucks off the roads and reducing carbon emissions.

When buses replace trains

With most of the rail lines being used 19-20 hours a day, 365 days a year, from time to time works can cause bus replacements for passenger services. We have a regular maintenance and renewal programme which aims to improve the reliability and resilience of the Wellington commuter network. Work on the line which requires buses to replace trains are planned in advance, with the aim of keeping disruption to commuters to a minimum.

Buses replacing trains

Ferry operator

East by West Ferries(external link)

History

East by West Ltd has run the ferry service for Wellington City since it was established in March 1989 between Days Bay and Queens Wharf. Previously called the WestpacTrust ferry before being replaced by the “City Cat” catamaran in 1990. In 1995 Matiu Somes Island was opened to the public as a DoC reserve and was then added to the ferries route. The Wellington Harbour Ferry became part of the Metlink family on 1 May 2003.

A new service in 2004 was proposed from Queens Wharf to Petone by East by West and the Passenger Transport Committee agreed to a trial. The new “Cobar Cat” ferry was purchased and the trial began in December 2005. Unfortunately, the Petone service was cancelled in June 2006 and the Cobar Cat was used to provide further trips during peak between Days bay and Queens Wharf where it later expanded to Petone and Seatoun on commercial runs. There are no longer services to Petone due to earthquake damage impacting the pier.

Metlink Privacy Statement

Metlink operators are currently hiring and training new drivers. Click an image to see their recruitment information.

Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency

National Ticketing Solution

Metlink is working with Waka Kotahi to introduce and implement the National Ticketing Solution(external link) which will improve public transport for Wellingtonians and all New Zealanders through a centralised, standardised approach to paying for public transport, and a common customer experience no matter where you are in the country.

The National Ticketing Solution supports Metlink’s and the government’s goals toward safer and less congested roads, reducing emissions, as well as supporting healthier lifestyles. It will also help to improve access to travel options by providing people with more choice.

Transport Choices Programme

Transport Choices aims to demonstrate what’s possible for communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, by quickly providing people with more transport options, and making it easier to travel in ways that are good for all of us and our environment.

The Pōneke Promise

Together we can keep Wellington city safe.

Greater Wellington Regional Council is working with some great partners to help everyone feel safer in Wellington City.

We’ve banded together with a new social contract, the Pōneke Promise. We’re promising a set of actions that we’ll be accountable for. We'll continue to make more promises to keep our city safe.

We’re making collective change to keep Pōneke a vibrant and compassionate place to live.

It’s our Pōneke Promise(external link).

Pōneke Promise website(external link)

By sharing information and working together to develop and deliver solutions, we’re working towards the common goal of making Pōneke a safe, vibrant and welcoming city for everyone.

Our partners include:

Cleaning and maintenance of bus shelters

Review is complete and changes are underway to frequency and timing for bus shelter cleaning and maintenance in Wellington City.

Public transport night services review

A review is underway to determine how many people are using the Metlink after midnight services, and what people think about the timetables and fares.

Security liaison staff

Employing extra security liaison staff to work alongside door people at the City’s bars and nightclubs. (In progress)

Future Rail

Building a better rail network for the Wellington region

KiwiRail and Metlink are working together to upgrade the rail network to makes services more reliable and enable more people to travel on trains in the future, with funding provided by the New Zealand Government.

Future Rail, also known as the Wellington Metro Upgrade(external link), is a collection of projects which will deliver a service with fewer speed restrictions and outages, longer trains and more services for Metlink commuters.

Read news about Future Rail(external link)

KiwiRail website(external link)