Youth climate group push for light rail system

Photo / Generation Zero

A painted cardboard train was paraded through central Wellington today in a push for a light rail system to be given the go-ahead.

Youth climate group Generation Zero was protesting a decision branding the transport system too expensive.

The message, "All we want for Christmas is a fair go for light rail'', was painted on the side of the makeshift train, which the group 'drove' through the city ahead of the annual Santa Parade handing our lollies and fliers.

Generation Zero have been calling for an independent review of the Constable Connection, which they say could solve the city's transport problems.

"We're being told our city can't afford light rail, but there's a cheaper alternative route that has been prematurely dismissed,'' spokesman Paul Young.

"The Constable Connection would connect Newtown with Kilbirnie via Constable St, avoiding expensive tunnels and unnecessary extra track which led to the Public Transport Spine Study's inflated cost of over $1 billion.

"At less than $400 million - similar to what a quality rapid bus system would realistically cost - the Constable Connection offers the affordable light rail solution that Wellington wants.''

Newtown Residents' Association president, Martin Hanley, supported the call.

"Continuing light rail up Constable St would give our community a public transport link to Kilbirnie and to the airport, and save so many dollars that clean, green light rail might actually be an affordable option,'' he said.

"Us locals would defend Constable St with pitch forks and burning barricades if the council proposed bulldozing a wide traffic corridor that wrecked frontages. My idea is that locals should collaborate and design a much better solution ourselves.''

The Constable Connection is part of Generation Zero's Fast Forward Wellington plan to provide better transport choice through congestion-free public transport, Copenhagen-style cycleways and a region-wide car share system.