To ‘represent’ public transport users
From the Public Transport Users Association
Public Transport Users to get a voice
On Monday 1st of December, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) will be launched in Auckland.
Jon Reeves, Co-ordinator of the PTUA said “Until now, bus, train and ferry users had no independent group they could approach over their issues or concerns. Our Association will look at issues and developing trends which affect the actual users. We want all decisions to be focused on one core question, is this in the best interests of the actual public transport user.”
The Public Transport Users Group is chaired by Christine Rose, a former Councillor from Auckland Regional Council. Deputy Chair is Vernon Tava, Councillor on the Waitemata Local Board. The Committee is made up of public transport users covering nearly all points of the Auckland region.
Raise issues instantly
Users will be able to raise issues instantly via the facebook site, via twitter or by simply emailing the PTUA. Reeves said “We will use the power of the people to ensure public transport users come first with transport authorities and operators. To that end, we have set the membership fee at just $5 which we use to help fund our voluntary organisation.
National aspirations
The PTUA has already been approached via the facebook site by public transport users wanting to set branches up from Whangarei and Wellington. Reeves said “Once we roll out in Auckland I am confident we can help public transport users around New Zealand”.
First campaign to be announced
The first campaign will be announced at the official launch on Monday morning. Passenger liaisons and a public meeting are planned in West Auckland this week.
While the PTUA will represent the coal face of public transport, the users, it will work with other pro-public transport groups in the mission of promoting and improving public transport.
Further Information
About us
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) is a politically independent, voluntary incorporated society and is run by a committee. The PTUA represents current and future public transport users. It promotes public transport use to ensure councils, transport agencies and central Government listen to bus, train and ferry users.
—–ends—–
Contact/SM Listings
Facebook/Public Transport Users Association
Twitter: @ptuaNZ
Talking Southern Auckland 
I read the PTUA flier on the wall of the Waitakere station with some interest. Personally, I think a peak time rail service to Waitakere and then to Huapai at a later date would be a good thing but not with any of the diesel options. It needs to be done properly to be worth it; upgrade the tunnel for electric units and rebuild the track and signalling. The diesel train sets take about an hour to get from Waitakere to Britomart and so to Huapai another fifteen minutes probably. That is slow but certainly better than by bus. The time should be considerably shorter with the electric option, but my experience with both diesel and electric trains from Onehunga shows the travel time there has not been improved by as much as I expected. I can only think that is due to scheduling issues. I spoke to an AT employee at Waitakere and was told some developments were “in the wind” as far as trains to Waitakere were concerned. With a wry smile he declined to elaborate.