Metlink Wins 2016 WMA Outstanding Website WebAward

Greater Wellington’s public transport website www.metlink.org.nz, which was SilverStripe’s July “Site of the Month, has been recognised as one of the world's best websites, winning the 2016 Outstanding Website WebAward judged by the Web Marketing Association. The awards are international and judged by web design, online advertising and PR professionals.

The site was developed by SilverStripe partner Somar Design Studios, a Wellington-based web agency with a focus on delivering user-centered web experiences that people love. The agency entered the Metlink website into the awards, which were judged between June and August. It was a great opportunity for Somar to get feedback from some of the world’s top online professionals. Judging criteria included design, innovation, technology and ease of use. Metlink.org.nz was one of four transport websites recognised with an Outstanding Website Award.  

How the site was rated by the judges

Powered by SilverStripe CMS/Framework, the Metlink site was rated very highly in technology, design and innovation, confirming Somar’s new approach to deliver complex information in a very innovative way. Despite the complexity of the information the agency delivers, the website also ranked very well on usability with 9/10 for both interactivity and ease of use.

What Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Somar say

GWRC General Manager Public Transport Wayne Hastie says the focus was on designing a website where customers can quickly find the information they need about their bus, train or ferry service. “It’s fantastic that working with Somar we have been able to deliver that and the website has received international accolades,” says Dr Hastie.

Somar Managing Director Aaron Scott says GWRC set the challenge of taking a different approach to delivering complex public transport information.  “The Metlink website delivers information on over 100 bus services, 200 school bus services, 4 railway lines and the harbour ferry," says Mr Scott. "When you take into account thousands of individual services operated each day, it was a great challenge to build an innovative website that is easy for Wellingtonians to use as they travel around the region."

“We worked closely with GWRC to understand how Wellington’s public transport network works and what information customers need to catch their bus, train and ferry. What we delivered works — over 7,500 journeys are planned through the website each day and 21,000 people have signed up to My Metlink which allow them to personalise the website.”

“We entered the WebAwards to get feedback from some of the top online innovators in the world and we are delighted with the award. But websites are never “finished” and we look forward to continuing to work with GWRC to deliver new features to make it even better.”