Wellington Bustastrophe Leaves Student Commuters “Frustrated” Over “Crammed” Buses to Campus

Words by Ethan Manera (he/him)

With the start of the in-person university year well underway, Wellington’s already overrun and understaffed bus services are facing additional strain.

Students are experiencing “crammed” trips up to Kelburn campus, and say that Metlink needs to act urgently to increase the volume of buses for students.

Ruby, a third year Sociology student, travels to Kelburn campus on the number 21 bus most days during the Trimester. But she says that the current overcrowded state of the buses makes her feel unsafe.

“It's just dangerous. Everyone is standing shoulder to shoulder and there's nowhere left to hold on. It's literally packed to the brim and dangerously over capacity.”

Another student took their frustration to Facebook, with a post on VuW: Meaningful Confessions titled “Speaking of bus bullshit” describing the number 18 service as a “crammed ass bus.”

Recently, Ruby was turned away from her bus home after waiting for 15 minutes. “We were waiting in the rain and so many people got turned away,” she said.

Thomas Nash, Chair of the Transport Committee for the Greater Wellington Regional Council, says he's “sorry” to commuters that the bus service hasn't delivered.

“This level of service is not what people deserve right now. It's not the level of service we want to be providing.”

Nash said that March is usually the busiest month for public transport. He's looking at ways to alleviate the strain that the start of the university year is having on bus services, including adding additional buses along busy routes but says the current bus driver shortage has caused significant pressure on Wellington's public transport.