Wellington is said to have the best public transportation system in all of New Zealand and one which is considered to be above average by international standards.  The system, called Metlink, is comprised of an interlinked network of buses, trolley buses, cable cars, trains and ferries.   It is an interesting system in that each part of the system is operated by one or more independent companies which are united under government regulation of the overall infrastructure of the system.  For example, although the government determines the bus routes of the city through regulation by their Regional Council governing board, the buses themselves are owned by a number of small companies including Stagecoach New Zealand and Mana Coach Services.

Though this is interesting information, it does not affect travelers, as the system runs smoothly and efficiently and seems uniform for all intents and purposes of the riders.  In addition to the buses which run on gasoline, there are also trolley buses which operate similarly to trams in historic areas of other travel destinations.  These are frequently used by travelers not only for getting around the area but also for experiencing Wellington in a more traditional or old-fashioned mode of transportation.

Trains are another method of transportation used throughout Wellington.   The major train station, the Wellington Railway Station, serves as a hub for all of the train routes in the area.   Trains travel both throughout the city and to local day trip destinations outside of the city.   More information is available at www.metlink.org.nz .

Wellington Cable Car Info

Useful Links for Wellington & Intercity Transport Operators