Funding Announced NZTA have recently released a presser on funding to assist design work on both the Manukau and Otahuhu Transport Interchanges. From NZTA Funding support for Auckland bus/rail … Continue reading NZTA Funding Designs for South Auckland Transport Interchanges
Cruising through the media outlets this morning I saw this pop up over the East-West Link verse the “Holiday Highway.”
From the NZ Herald
City business lobby prefers freight route
By Mathew Dearnaley 5:30 AM Wednesday Feb 26, 2014
Group says Onehunga-East Tamaki truck corridor more urgent than Govt’s pet road.
Auckland’s main business lobby says a freight corridor through the industrial belt from Onehunga to East Tamaki is far more urgent than the Government’s $760 million “road of national significance” to Warkworth.
But the Auckland Business Forum has admitted erring in a submission on the extension of the Northern Motorway from Puhoi, for which it says predicted economic benefits are far below what a freight road beside the Manukau Harbour would deliver.
The submission claims incorrectly that there are estimated benefits of $4 to $6 for every $1 which the freight link may cost to build – even though a route has yet to be determined, and a likely price is unknown.
That compares with just 60c to $1.10 which the Transport Agency expects to gain from the motorway extension from the Johnstones Hill toll road tunnels to the northern side of Warkworth.
When questioned by the Herald about the southern freight road estimate, business forum project co-ordinator Tony Garnier said it appeared to be incorrect and would need amending in evidence to a board of inquiry hearing in April into the agency’s planning applications for the northern project.
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You can read the full article over at the Herald site.
I am wondering though if there is simmering tension with the allocation of limited funds and resources to large road projects.
That said we could make the limited funds stretch further with some more sane projects such as these two here:
In other news the combined Governing Body and Local Boards are meeting in the Aotea Centre today to ‘set the scene’ for the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan – the master Council budget document
Two releases from Auckland Transport, one on customer service and the other on public transport patronage:
From AT on the Customer Service Group:
‘Customers the focus’ at Auckland Transport
Tuesday, 25 February, 2014 – 16:53
The Board of Auckland Transport today established a Customer Focus Committee (CFC), which will drive continuous customer service and customer experience improvements throughout the business.
Mark Gilbert (pictured), who has a background in senior management that incorporated marketing and customer service roles, will Chair the committee.
He says it will provide oversight and advice on a range of initiatives from project planning and market research to implementation. A major priority is an increase in public transport patronage. “Our overarching vision is to put an excellent customer experience at the heart of everything we do” he says.
“We aim to provide outstanding customer service, every time and be a trusted and positive contributor to the lives of all Aucklanders.“That means a greater emphasis on customer needs and wants no matter what part of the organisation or its services they are engaging with.” The CFC is a full committee of the Board, with all AT Directors invited to attend. It will meet monthly, beginning in March.
—-ends—
And on the Public Transport Patronage (AT’s report is below the presser):
Jump in Auckland public transport patronage
Tuesday, 25 February, 2014 – 16:40
January saw a jump of three point three per cent in the number of people using public transport in Auckland. The number of trips on rail was up seven point six per cent in January compared to the same month last year.
Auckland Transport’s Group Manager, Public Transport, Mark Lambert says the increase for rail is pleasing considering the disruption to services in January because of on-going work to electrify the rail network.The Northern Express bus service saw a rise in patronage of seven per cent, while the number using all other bus services was up just under five per cent compared to January 2013. Auckland Transport has been running promotions to encourage more people on the North Shore to use the Northern Express. Ferry patronage was down in January. One of the reasons for the drop in the numbers using ferries was the poor weather over the holiday period.
On an average weekday some 236,000 trips are taken on public transport in the region and Aucklanders are now travelling on more than 200,000 AT HOP cards.
As Mayor Len Brown said in the elections last year, the Council Controlled Organisations (the CCO’s) were to be reviewed by the main Council. The CCO’s include (but not limited to):
From Auckland Council on the review:
Auckland councillors will be asked to approve the draft terms of reference and timeline for a wide-ranging review of Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) at the next Governing Body meeting on 27 February, says Mayor Len Brown. The draft terms of reference can be found here (item 12, page 9).
Len Brown said: “Our CCOs deliver a huge range of services for Aucklanders, from water management, to major events, through to the big improvements we’re making in public transport. We need to ensure that as ratepayer owned and funded organisations, they are as lean and efficient as possible, with no waste and no duplication of effort.”
A key election pledge from Len Brown, the CCO review will aim to ensure Aucklanders are getting value for money from the seven council controlled organisations set up during amalgamation, and that they are fully accountable to ratepayers and elected representatives.
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Chair of the CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee said:
“Having had three years to work with the CCOs, we are at an ideal point to assess how well CCOs are performing on behalf of our communities, and to look at potential changes where they are needed across council. The review will assess what worked well in the first term and what we could do better going forward.
“It is very important that while the review is going on we continue to work with our CCOs to deliver for Auckland.”
Councillors, local board members, CCOs and the Independent Maori Statutory Board have all been given an opportunity to provide feedback on the review’s draft terms of reference. These groups have also contributed to the development of two CCO current state assessment reports that councillors will receive ahead of the Governing Body meeting.
The seven CCOs are Auckland Tourism Events Economic Development (ATEED), Auckland Transport (AT), Watercare, Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL), Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL), Waterfront Auckland, and Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).
—ends—
Another post will be drawn up on the Council’s Unitary Plan Submission
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This weekend as we know Auckland is hosting a series of events (NRL 9’s, The Rapture Concert last night, and the Lantern Festival) which is causing pressure on our transport system (private and public).
I am hearing both positive and negative comments from yesterday and no doubt today. Just to put it out there by 3pm yesterday Britomart Station had “processed” 17,000 people through the Gate-Line that were heading OUTBOUND. The numbers do not include inbound or Line Transfers (Eastern Line to Western Line as an example). That is record-breaking numbers – even breaking the Rugby World Cup opening night (a night I tend to forget).
That said I am opening this post for your comments and feedback from the weekend events on transport. Whether on the road, waiting for a bus, or on the train this weekend leave your comments below. Please remember The Rules when posting. Also if you are a first time commenter your comments are held in moderation until I approve or reject them. Once approved you are free to comment on the blog.
So I leave the mic to you. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport do watch the blog so no doubt they will see your comments. Again play the ball not the man please in your comments. I am off to hit the South Western Motorway to avoid Southern Motorway traffic so wish me luck there.
Auckland Transport dropped a release this afternoon stating it was actively reviewing its berm policy.
From Voxy:
Auckland Transport reviewing berms policy
Friday, 14 February, 2014 – 13:43
Auckland Transport is reviewing its policy and guidelines for planting of vegetation on grass berms.
The current policy is that planting is not permitted as it may create safety hazards (impairing sight lines, covering signage etc); cause damage to underground services such as sewerage, water and power; and increase on-going road corridor maintenance costs, if planting is abandoned by the homeowner.
Auckland Transport Chief Operations Officer, Greg Edmonds, says the organisation is aware of a number of residents and businesses who have planted berms outside their property.
“We will not take any action in terms of removal whilst we are reviewing the policy unless those plantings pose a very real safety risk”, he says.
“We will be taking a customer-focussed and pragmatic approach to our review, in consultation with Auckland Council; however safety for road users, pedestrians and cyclists will be paramount as will be managing the cost of on-going road corridor maintenance.”
—ends—
Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/lifestyle/auckland-transport-reviewing-berms-policy/5/181537
Lets hope a more pragmatic policy comes out of the review. Providing health and safety of fellow road users is not compromised, and that the modified berm is maintained then I see no issue with berm plantings – which are common in the EU and North America.
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Talking Southern Auckland 