Stagecoach Wellington No. 301 at Lambton Interchange 2/4/2003

            Stagecoach Wellington 301 (BDZ738 2003 Designline Citybus trolleybus 7A874000903007203 Designline B39/19D) at the newly revamped Lambton Interchange for the official opening on 2 April 2003.

This trolleybus, that was the benchmark of today's Designline-bodied dual axle Wellington trolleybuses, was withdrawn from service in December 2014 and was last photographed by Alan Wickens on the road travelling south on Willis Street under the control of driver Robert Loh after a morning’s work on the Kingston run on 2 December 2014. 
301 was returning to Kilbirnie depot, not in service, and it is not known what the actual last day that 301 worked in service, but the shot Alan took on 2 December 2014 however was possibly a testiment to, “Farewell old friend”. 
Stagecoach Wellington 301 of March 2003 is the rebuild of Volvo B58 trolleybus No. 206 and featured a new body and chassis built by Designline in Ashburton.

Situated at the hub of Wellingtons transportation centre, the Lambton Interchange forms the vital link between Bus and Rail transport.
In 1999, The Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council were seeking to improve amenities for the commuting public due to the dilapidated nature of the Lambton Quay Terminus precinct. The Council provided a brief with a key point being that “Land transport terminals and gateways should provide residents and visitors with a sense of pride and connection”.
The existing terminus buildings were demolished to integrate the new terminus requirements. A comprehensive urban renewal solution was developed alongside the design to enable the connection of the developed area with the existing city fabric. Critical to the design was the establishment of clear sight lines to and from the bus loading areas forming a logical sense of direction for the commuter.
Glass was used extensively in all concourse and access areas of the Interchange to ensure high levels of natural lighting and increase public safety. All of the access and exit points to the subway were enlarged and covered by the two new Terminal Buildings to accommodate commuters in all weather conditions.
These points now act as natural lanterns to the subway, dramatically increasing the levels of natural light which in turn improves both the safety and well being of the travelling public. The planar roof form of Terminal Building 1reflects this design intent, while creating a passively solar heated space that requires only nominal mechanical ventilation in the summer.
To combat the increased noise transmission due to the high content of glazing and other reflective surfaces in the Terminal Buildings, perforated plywood ceilings were designed. The ceiling panels maintain the clean lines of the structure and materials while decreasing the reverberated noise transmission.

The Lambton Interchange opened to the public on Monday, 10 March 2003, and was officially opened on 2 April 2003 by Margaret Shields and Kerry Prendergast.
The Interchange revamp consists of several elements:
- Improvements to the pedestrian subway under Featherston Street.
- Improvements to the railway station forecourt including pedestrian shelters
and improved crossing points on Bunny Street.
- Provision of a relocated bus station building and bus turn round area at Lambton.
- Improved pedestrian access through to Molesworth and Mulgrave Streets.
- Relocation of bus routes to and from Lambton.
- Shorter pedestrian routes to and from the railway station.
The project was budgeted to cost no more than $10,830,000 and was proposed to be funded through several sources over a number of years. Some elements were directly funded by the Council in the year they were undertaken, eg the pedestrian subway improvement and some are being funded through an eight year service agreement with Wellington City Council, eg the terminal building.
At one point the project was delayed over the issue of Transfund New Zealand’s funding contribution. This unfortunately resulted in a reduction of $500,000 in Transfund’s contribution as part of their contribution was time based. This reduction in funding was overcome by making greater use of Adshel shelters.
Wellington City raised a loan to fund the bus terminal and some of the pedestrian shelters. The financial costs of that loan was covered by a service agreement between the councils. 
At the end of the eight years it was envisaged that the Wellington City Council will own the asset debt free.
   

Taken on: March 16, 2016

Groups appears in: • Bus Stops Here • New Zealand Buses Now and Then more » • Trolleybus • Stagecoach Stripes Livery « less

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