Plans for “Intensification” at Lynn Mall and Sylvia Park It seems plans are under way to upgrade two of our malls in Auckland. According to the NZ Herald, Kiwi … Continue reading NZ’s Largest Listed Landlord Looking at Developing its Existing Sites
Category: Uncategorized
July ’14 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking
Up two places to 40th for July with some solid runs in the second half of July. Also seems August is going to be a solid month as well.
Again I would like to thank readers for visiting and commenting at Talking Auckland. As always guest posts and feedback are welcome 🙂
Image Credit:Learn Blog Tips
There are now over 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake, or get your stats wrong).
Every month I get queries from people wanting their own blog included. I encourage and am happy to respond to queries but have prepared a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) people can check out. Have a look at NZ Blog Rankings FAQ. This is particularly helpful to those wondering how to set up sitemeters.
Please note, the system is automatic and relies on blogs having sitemeters which allow public access to the stats.
Here are the rankings of New Zealand blogs with publicly available statistics for July 2014. Ranking is by visit numbers. I have listed the blogs in the table below, together…
View original post 1,672 more words
DejaVu All Over Again: A Reality Check on SkyTrain
A note when you do not fund something properly.
Also shows the paradox between roads and public transport.
That is if the road fails you throw more money at it. If public transport fails you punish it and take away its money it needs to prevent the failures
Here’s a VanCity Buzz piece by Kenneth Chan, dated July 2013. Yup, a year ago:
REALITY CHECK: Why is SkyTrain breaking down so frequently?
There is no question that SkyTrain breakdowns have been happening far more frequently over the last few weeks and months, particularly with the Expo Line. Yesterday morning’s failure was the second time this month a malfunction led to major delays across the SkyTrain network. …
However, there is only so much that can be done on a system that is clearly wearing down with age and restrained from undergoing the improvements necessary with its severe lack in funding. …
Prior to the recent strings of power rail service disruption incidents, TransLink already recognized that a major replacement of the Expo Line’s aging power rails was needed. In November 2012, TransLink began a $33-million project to replace 34-kms of power rails on the Expo Line…
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Just a Wee Note When It Comes to Council Finances
Be careful what you are calling for No doubt you have seen the hysteria whipped up by people like Bernard Orsman over the Council’s finances. This is despite … Continue reading Just a Wee Note When It Comes to Council Finances
Shortage of Land for Retail?
Nope. Try Inefficient use of existing retail land first So Cameron Brewer says we are desperately short on retail land and has a whinge about it in the Herald … Continue reading Shortage of Land for Retail?
Electric Train Fleet Grounded [updated]
This Saga is fast becoming intolerable
I was going to do a post in follow-up to Transport Blog’s Why are the electric trains so slow? in light of Stuff’s article yesterday: New Auckland trains can’t speed up
There is no point doing that post any more when you see this:
I will give credit to Alex on Twitter who first raised the situation earlier this morning. I did notice when I went past the Westfield Yard on my way to Britomart this morning that all Diesel DMU’s were out which I thought would only happen if we lost another Electric Train again (see Our New Electric Trains Breaking Down in Peak Services? [Updated])
Well it was not a single EMU being out of service but the entire fleet ground due to issues I have recently raised on this blog and have been mentioned by others here: http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2460&start=2760
Also check here for the latest: http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1653&start=3520 in which is quoted:
The EMUs have been withdrawn from operating services indefinitely as of yesterday, due to ongoing problems with the overhead line power supply fluctuating and causing the trains to shut down.
ADLs have been operating most services on the Onehunga line since Sunday
Note: I have been told by a few people know that only three of the five (or six) substations needed to run the Electric Train fleet in Auckland were ever bet. I wonder if this shortcoming has bearings on the EMU faults and subsequent grounding
NewsTalk ZB have also picked up on the issue
Aucklandâ s new electric trains are being temporarily replaced by diesel trains on the Onehunga Line.
Auckland Transport says what appears to be an intermittent power fault has occurred twice in 24 hours.
Chief Operations Officer Greg Edmonds stresses there are no safety issues associated with the incidents.
He says they want to ensure services run reliably while they get to the root of the issue.
——
[Update] From TVNZ
Fault prompts electric train replacement on Auckland network
Published: 1:15PM Wednesday July 23, 2014 Source: ONE News
A power fault has led to Auckland’s new electric trains being replaced on the Onehunga Line.
Auckland Transport has stressed the faults had not resulted in any safety issues.
The power fault has occurred twice in the last 24 hours and while it could take several days to fix timetables will remain unchanged.
Auckland Transport chief operations officer Greg Edmonds says the organisation intends to get to the root of the issue.
“So as not to inconvenience customers we have decided to run diesel units,” he says.
Mr Edmonds also says issues such as this are expected while phasing in a new train fleet.
….
——
Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fault-prompts-electric-train-replacement-auckland-network-6036157
Such an issue was expected while the fleet was running in revenue service? I thought that was what the tests were for so that we did not have the cancellations and fleet muck arounds that we have now…
More as it comes to hand
Feedback Sort for Community Grants
Have your say on Community Grants From Auckland Council Have your say on draft community grants policy Auckland Council is seeking community views on a draft policy which … Continue reading Feedback Sort for Community Grants
June ’14 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking
A good lift this month coming in at 41 on the rankings (up 7 from last two months) .
A big thank you to all the readers out there. Remember guest posts are welcome so flip me an email (see About page or leave a Tweet) and we shall see what we can arrange 🙂
There are now almost 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake, or get your stats wrong).
Every month I get queries from people wanting their own blog included. I encourage and am happy to respond to queries but have prepared a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) people can check out. Have a look at NZ Blog Rankings FAQ. This is particularly helpful to those wondering how to set up sitemeters.
Please note, the system is automatic and relies on blogs having sitemeters which allow public access to the stats.
Here are the rankings of New Zealand blogs with publicly available statistics for June 2014. Ranking is by visit numbers. I have listed the blogs in the table below, together with monthly visits and page…
View original post 1,718 more words
Is Auckland Awake in Regards to the Unitary Plan?
Do we need some help when the Independent Hearings Panel gets under-way? The future of such complexes will be determined by the Unitary Plan Here we go … Continue reading Is Auckland Awake in Regards to the Unitary Plan?
3 News Reid Research poll June 2014
Just a quick glance over to the 2014 Elections and the latest poll results out
Polling Company: Reid Research
Poll Method: Random Phone
Poll Size: 1,000 respondents (3.1% maximum margin of error)
Undecideds:
Dates: June 2014
Client: 3 News
Party Support
- National 49.7% (-0.6%)
- Labour 27.2% (-2.2%)
- Green 12.7% (+2.5%)
- ACT 1.4% (+0.8%)
- Maori 1.5% (+0.9%)
- United Future 0.0% (nc)
- Mana/Internet 1.8% (+1.0%)
- NZ First 3.6% (-2.0%)
- Conservative 2.8% (+0.5%)
Projected Seats
- National 63
- Labour 35
- Green 16
- ACT 2
- Maori 3
- United Future 1
- Mana 2
- NZ First 7
- Total 122
This is based on no change in electorate seats.
Coalition Options
- CR – National 63 + ACT 1 + United Future 1 = 65/122 – three more than the minimum needed to govern
- CL – Labour 36 + Greens 16 + Mana/Internet 2 = 54/122 – eight fewer than minimum needed to govern
- C – NZ First 0 + Maori 3 = 0/124
On this poll, there would be a centre-right Government.
Preferred PM
- Key 46.7% (+0.4%)
- Cunliffe 9.6% (-0.2%)
Talking Southern Auckland 