Thanks for your public transport feedback

We’ve heard you loud and clear! 11,738 people and organisations gave feedback on Environment Canterbury’s Metro bus and ferry services across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri during the six-week consultation. 

Public Transport Core Service Co-Lead Councillor Nettles Lamont is grateful to every single person who had their say. 

“It’s clear you’re as passionate about public transport as we are! Your feedback helps build a better picture of what is needed from public transport, now and over the next decade. 

“It will also support our advocacy with central government for co-funding of the improvements through the National Land Transport Fund,” Councillor Lamont said. 

Strong feedback from across areas

Around three-quarters of responses came from people and organisations based in Christchurch City and the remainder were from Selwyn District (over 1,300) and Waimakariri District (over 900).  

“That is an outstanding response across the city and districts. We would like to thank our partner councils for all their support in creating visibility of the survey and prompting it within their communities. 

“A well-functioning public transport network isn’t just for the people on buses. It reduces congestion, supports growth and improves access to jobs, education and services for the whole region,” Councillor Lamont added. 

Feedback to be analysed

The feedback, which is likely the most Environment Canterbury has ever received for a consultation, will now be analysed. It will help us identify gaps in our current network and inform public transport improvements across Greater Christchurch over the next decade (2027-2037). A final report on feedback is expected to be publicly available by the end of September. 

The review does not include trains, light rail, fares, or requests for services outside of the current area served by the Greater Christchurch Metro network.

Community feedback will be used alongside technical information, like passenger data, population growth projections and modelling, to identify priorities for improving the network over the next 10 years. Environment Canterbury will then develop three options for improvement, each with a different pace and scale of change. Early next year, Greater Christchurch will have the chance to feedback on a preferred option when Environment Canterbury consults on the draft Long-Term Plan 2027-37. If approved, these proposals would also require central government funding before they could be implemented.  

Decision to come for Routes 44 and 135 proposal

As part of this review, the council also sought feedback on a proposal to improve Route 44 Shirley/Westmorland and remove Route 135 New Brighton/The Palms, one of our lowest-performing routes. More than 1700 responses were received for this proposal. The findings and next steps will be presented at a Council briefing with a decision expected at the end of September 2026.