Auckland and Nation see benefits in BOTH road and public transport investment

Meaning a more balanced approach than what #TeamKey has on offer

I have noticed a poll over on Stuff this morning about New Zealand’s mood towards road and public transport investment. This poll comes on the back of a double article last week in the Manukau Courier on how while we are investing in public transport, we are still quite behind the 8-ball. Especially compared to even car-centric cities in the USA like L.A and Houston which are going flat-out in investing in rail and bus systems.

From Stuff

Poll: Public transport beats better roads

VERNON SMALL AND MICHAEL FOX

Auckland has sent a clear message to the Government over its transport priorities – give us better public transport rather than better roads.

The latest Stuff.co.nz-Ipsos poll found that throughout New Zealand, people wanted a government focus on better public transport over roads by a margin of 30 per cent to 24 per cent.

Another 40 per cent wanted a focus on both.

In Auckland there was much stronger backing for public transport spending, which got the nod by a four-to-one margin over roads among those who had a preference. Almost 43 per cent said the focus should be on both.

There was a similar, but less pronounced, division between Auckland and the rest of the country when it came to traffic congestion.

Throughout the country, 57 per cent felt the Government was doing enough to ease traffic jams in their region.

Even in urban areas there was still a majority at 51 per cent backing the Government’s efforts, with 42 per cent saying it was not doing enough.

But in Auckland a clear majority – 54 per cent – said the Government was falling short against 43 per cent who thought it was doing enough.

The poll will be a blow to the Government’s transport policy, which has emphasised road building, and in particular its flagship Roads of National Significance, and has rebuffed calls from Auckland Mayor Len Brown for an early start to the city rail link.

…

But Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee called the result a “confused” message, saying Aucklanders did not use public transport to an extent that made it truly economic.

—ends—

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10289369/Poll-Public-transport-beats-better-roads

I think our Minister and #TeamKey (seeming they don’t want to be called National) are a bit confused AND stuck in the 1960’s here.

For Auckland it is easy; for every person able (through freedom of choice stemming from the practicality of the public transport system) to bus, train, cycle or walk rather than use a car it is one less car on the motorway thus more room for a freight truck. And for every less car on that motorway (or road) that truck is able to get from A to B more efficiently and quickly saving everyone time and money…

As for the Regions it is as simple as this: Do you need a multi billion dollar gold-plated highway or something like Operation Lifesaver, and the Maramarua Bypass that gives the same benefits for less money? At the end of the day it comes down to simple economics and best bang for buck. Something I thought Nationa… err #TeamKey were meant to have being the party of businesses and fiscal prudence…

The consequences of public transport not being invested into (although it is now) can be seen here:

From the Manukau Courier

Commuters sick of bus delays

JAMES IRELAND Last updated 05:00 17/07/2014

 

Kathryn Stevenson reckons she could have travelled to Hamilton and back in the time it took her to go by bus from Ellerslie to work in Flat Bush.

The music teacher left home one day last month expecting to take her usual one-hour trip to work on Chapel Rd.

But the 20km journey ended up taking two hours and 20 minutes.

Stevenson cannot drive because she is visually impaired and relies on public transport.

“I have just had it with public transport. I don’t know what else to do,” she says.

She’s one of a number of readers to contact the Manukau Courier over delays with buses in South Auckland.

But frustrated commuters like Stevenson will have to put up with it for another year, Auckland Transport says.

…

Once it got off the ranks it departed at 9.50am and Stevenson got to work just in time for morning tea at 10am.

“It should never take two and a half hours to get to work when it’s less than 20km away.

“I could nearly drive to Hamilton and back in that time.

“I called work and told them what was happening; it meant I had to work later into the night. It was just lucky I didn’t have anyone waiting for me.”

Takanini resident Clayton Browning takes the bus from Manukau to Botany every week and his experiences echo those of Stevensons’.

…

Browning takes the train to Manukau from Takanini and says that service is “not too bad”.

“You can get a train within 15 minutes but a bus can mean a wait of 40 minutes.

“And twice on separate occasions I have experienced the bus being almost a full hour late without reason or any form of notice.”

Auckland Transport says it will be another year before any major improvements are made to the bus network.

It says it has finalised the new southern routes, which includes a bus going from Manukau to Botany every 15 minutes, but they won’t be put in place until the middle of next year.

Spokesman Mark Hannan says the numbers of people using the service and traffic congestion have increased since the last time the timetables were reviewed and that means buses sometimes run late.

“Auckland Transport is aware that this service does need to improve its punctuality. We are about to start a major piece of work that will review this and other timetables in the region.”

——

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/10272478/Commuters-sick-of-bus-delays

You also have this as well: Students ditch public transport

So we have the case of people WANTING to use public transport but the system is impractical so people will use cars and clog up the road.

Auckland Transport is about a year out before the new South Auckland network is in effect. You can see more here: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/new-network-for-south-auckland/ 

As for road investment that you could deem required? That would be the Southern Motorway upgrade which I last mentioned here as we approach the open days and consultation stages (Southern Motorway Upgrade Website Up)

A more balanced approach is needed towards our transport infrastructure investment. Something both #TeamKey and Labour are a bit short on at the moment…

I will leave you with this from Solaria which has a population of just over 3 million. Now imagine trying to move all those people around. It isn’t done by super highways that is for sure…