Outcome
P. Increasing inclusive access to public transport
Outcome measure

P1: Percentage of key activity centres In Greater Christchurch within 400 metres of network bus stops is increasing

No change
How are we doing?
During the 2025/26 year, there was no change to the number of key activity centres (such as medical centres, hospitals, schools, community shopping centres, etc.) within 400 metres of a network bus stop in Greater Christchurch.
P1: Percentage of key activity centres In Greater Christchurch within 400 metres of network bus stops is increasing
No change

What we are measuring and reporting

Reporting annually on active bus stops within 400 metres of key activity centres through our network information and data from other Councils.

Baseline measure

In 2023/24, 94.9 per cent of key activity centres in Greater Christchurch were within 400 metres of a bus stop.

To meet the target

The percentage of key activity centres in Greater Christchurch within 400 metres of a bus stop should be increasing, relative to the baseline.

Why are we measuring this?

A key activity centre is a strategically important area that concentrates economic, social, and cultural activities, (such as medical centres, hospitals, schools, community shopping centres and public spaces) making it a vital measure for community wellbeing and sustainable development. Having more key activity centres within 400 metres of bus stops improves accessibility to public transport and overall connectivity. This not only reduces reliance on private vehicles which supports community health but enhances quality of life by ensuring all residents can access essential services easily.

This is aligned with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka’s Outcomes Framework, as well as included in the Regional Public Transport Plan and the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Together, these measures provide a comprehensive view of public transport accessibility in Greater Christchurch. By analysing the data, we can understand trends in accessibility, assess the effectiveness of current public transport services, and identify areas needing further improvement.

How do we measure the result?

We gather data from our network information (updated annually) and information about key activity centres from Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council.  We collate information on schools and hospitals from data.govt.nz.

What work have we undertaken to contribute to this outcome?

Environment Canterbury is responsible for public transport services, working with our partner councils who are responsible for public transport infrastructure.

Service improvements to our network are subject to co-funding availability through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). Due to funding constraints and policy settings, the 2024-27 NLTP had very limited funding for public transport improvements, and therefore we were not able to make any material changes to the Greater Christchurch Metro network, outside of increased “Turn up and go” frequency improvements for Route 7 Halswell/ to Queenspark, reported under Outcome M1.   

Who else plays a role?

We can implement policies, provide funding, and enhance service routes and frequencies to improve household accessibility to key centres. 

Partner councils, such as Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Selwyn District Council, play a significant role by providing and maintaining the infrastructure required for public transport.

National transport agencies, the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) have the ultimate influence over public transport due to their key roles in setting national transport policies and funding for public transport.  

Where can I find more information?

Transforming public transport – find details about our commitment to Public Transport Futures and the suite of network improvements aiming to increase inclusive access to public transport.

NZTA provides guidance on bus stop location planning.

Download the 2024/25 results for P1: Percentage of key activity centres In Greater Christchurch within 400 metres of network bus stops is increasing (PDF file, 265KB)

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