Capacity problems with Wellington's bus network shouldn't be dealt with by removing bus seats.

That's the call from some bus users after a small number of seats were removed from some of the city's buses.

It comes after several services were plagued with overcrowding after the new network was introduced in July, particularly from Karori to Seatoun.

An earlier email from Sustainable Transport Committee chair Barbara Donaldson to a concerned commuter said passengers standing was part of a new design.

She said it's a part of a new normal to provide capacity without the cost of providing more buses.

Nick Stoneman from Bus Go Wellington, a public transport advocacy group, says standing should be the last resort.

"The only time people should be standing is if the bus is already at maximum capacity, and therefore extra vehicles should be assigned."

Some commuters are concerned being made to stand is dangerous.

Bus user Carol Bracegirdle says it's a safety concern, particularly in Wellington.

"It doesn't seem to me to be a very practical way. We've got very narrow streets, we've got suburbs with hills, if you are going around corners."

A Metlink spokesman says passengers standing has always been a feature and there are standards in place to ensure its done safely.