Metlink please reinstate the 85X bus service from Eastbourne to Wellington’s Basin Reserve. The 85X is the only commuter bus that dupes as a school bus for students at both St Marks School and Wellington College.

The 85X is the only commuter bus from Eastbourne to Wellington that goes further than Courtney place, to the Basin Reserve. Many students rely on this service to get to Primary School, Secondary School and University. Many working commuters also rely on this bus service and have buses that they catch in connection with this bus to get to a job and also to University. 

The 85X doesn’t go through the Hutt Valley. The 85X has a considerably shorter commuter time for Eastbourne commuters. Many Eastbourne commuters prefer this service for its shorter commute times and because of the bus route. 

The 85X service at 3.15pm from the Basin to Eastbourne is waiting and ready outside St Marks and Wellington College to take the children home. It is an essential service for the commuting students from these schools back to Eastbourne (The Wellington College students look after the St Marks children on the bus and this peace of mind is reassuring to the parents of the Primary school students). 

Living so far from Wellington City it is essential we have a service that is direct and timely. Traffic is often heavy, especially through Petone. The 85X is the only bus that goes beyond Courtney Place onto the Basin Reserve.  

Please consider our petition. Thank You