Christchurch to finally get Rapid Transit?

Plans for light rail are way off the rails in Auckland and on the ropes in Wellington, could Christchurch get it right and deliver New Zealand’s first modern light rail line? Last week a committee of the Greater Christchurch Partnership, a voluntary coalition of local government, mana whenua and government agencies, were asked to endorse the Greater Christchurch Public Transport Futures Mass Rapid Transit Indicative Business Case. The full route is around 22km in length with 21 stations and would use either light rail or high-capacity articulated buses. The project is expected to cost $2.95 billion for the bus version or $4.05 billion for the light rail one. This will help make public transport a more attractive option and encourage people to consider public and active travel options.