About Us

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

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

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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.  

Read more(external link)

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)

Future Rail

future rail logo

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)

Last published: Wednesday, 19 June 2024 at 8:42 am