​The capital's bus debacle is part of the reason Wellingtonians will be about $50 poorer a year as the regional council readies to pass a 6.5 per cent rate rise. In its 2019-20 annual plan the Greater Wellington Regional Council said "significant cost pressures" had been incurred due to additional bus services introduced in response to public demand and rising fuel prices which affected its contracts with bus operators. The rates rise has been proposed to fund projects previously set out in Greater Wellington's Long Term Plan 2018-28. It equates to 97 cents a week for the average residential ratepayer and is 0.6 per cent higher than forecast in the Long Term Plan. MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Extra services were added to Wellington bus routes to address overcrowding issues.

Source: Stuff March 19, 2019 04:07 UTC