Tag: Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport and Public Transport

·

Slick New Video on our Public Transport

 

If it was not for Budget 2013 and that Much-Ado-About-Nothing Accord causing grief in Auckland I would of gotten this post up yesterday. None the less Auckland Transport has released a rather slick video on how IT sees public transport post 2016. This is covered in the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) and is stuff I have commented and submitted on before.

Take a look at the video from Auckland Transport which can be seen at their “New Public Transport Network” page.

 

Also take note of these wee facts:

Benefits of a simpler connected network will include:

  • Services at least every 15 minutes on the frequent network
  • Easier to understand
  • Access to more destinations across Auckland
  • Reduced waiting times

In October 2012, Auckland Transport called for Aucklanders to have their say on the future of public transport in our city. A total of 719 submissions were received on the draft Regional Public Transport Plan, which included the proposed new structure for Auckland’s public transport network. Approximately 70 per cent of submissions supported the proposed direction taken.

This schematic map of the proposed frequent network (PDF 250kb)includes the Southern, Eastern and Western rail lines, the Northern busway and high-frequency bus routes connecting major centres. This map shows only services (bus, rail and ferry) intended to operate at least every 15 minutes, 7am – 7pm, 7 days a week. Services will continue to operate outside these hours at lower frequencies. Other ferry, local bus and peak bus services will also operate.

 

I have not agreed or disagreed with what AT are proposing at this point and time. But, as mentioned earlier I have submitted and attended hearings on the RPTP thus far with another round of consultation coming next month.

Previous commentary and my presentation can be found at:

 

As also noted AT is beginning the next round of RPTP consultation starting with the south

Areas ​Consultation ​Implementation
​South Auckland 19 June 2013 to
2 August 2013		 Mid – end 2014​
North Auckland​ Early 2014​ Mid 2015​
Central, East and West Auckland Late 2014​ Mid 2016​

 

Also please take note of the Auckland Council Transport Committee and its deliberations over the RPTP at its Wednesday meeting:

 

So let see if proof is in the pudding after the next round of consultation with AT on public transport

 

As for things like the Manukau South Rail Link, Glenora Road Station, Electrification to Pukekohe, and Grade Separation of rail crossings which are all hot button topics and priority wants in the South; WORKING ON IT – still.

 

BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND

BR:AKL: Bring Well Managed Progress

The Unitary Plan: Bringing Change

Auckland: 2013 – OUR CITY, OUR CALL

 

 

The Public Meeting Over The Mill Road Corridor

·

Not So Sure on the Result

 

Last night the public meeting over the Redoubt Road/Mill Road was held at the Vodafone Events Centre where around 160 people showed up. My apologies in not attending that particular meeting last night as I was home on both family time and completing my Manukau CBD presentation. Just noting a sense of what could be irony; while I am not a big fan of the corridor up Redoubt Road and down part of Mill Road (basically to the Alfriston Road intersection), if Manukau is going to be brought up as a CBD and the existing industry expands in the area we will need to be looking at some serious transport options rather quick.

Any how so the meeting went ahead last night although from what I can fathom no one from Auckland Transport nor the Council’s Transport Committee was present.Councillors Calum Penrose and Sir John Walker as the Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillors were present though. I also note that Green MP Julie Ann Genter was present however as well as Forest and Bird? Enough for me to raise an eye brow at this point in time as I wonder what alternatives this group would propose (apart from the Takanini Interchange upgrade allowing the 6-lane-ing of State Highway One) when Manukau takes off again and the Rural Urban Boundary has a very good chance moving East to Mill Road in the next 30-years.

 

I have written two particular posts on the Mill Road Corridor so far (along with the AT Plans attached). Yes I am meaning to write-up an alternative but, will not do so until my submission to the Unitary Plan is in at the end of the month:

 

The Herald also wrote a piece on last night’s public meeting as well: “324 properties in road’s path”

I did particularly note from that Herald article a quip about the Eastern Highway being defeated. Umm no it has not. The designation is still there and part of it is being built as a legacy project that we know as AMETI. At the same time there is nothing stopping NZTA from taking the reigns and building the Highway project, something that I would not put pass them with the current Government in power. In any case the failure of that highway being built along with the Botany Line which was to come with it is already costing the city as it is most days of the week in bottle-necking and economic inefficiencies. So I would be very careful in making analogies to the Eastern Highway (and Botany Line) in regards to other projects in the pipeline.

 

If anyone that did go last night would like to drop a guest commentary on the public meeting, drop me a line either in the comment box or via email and I’ll see what I can arrange.

 

In the mean time, we continue to wait on Auckland Transport’s fine grain analysis of the corridor.

 

Public Meeting – Redoubt Road/Mill Road Corridor

·

Public Meeting on the 4-lane Corridor

 

Picked up one of these last night after the Alfriston Unitary Plan Community Meeting:

 

I have commented on the project before with my most recent being: “MAYOR SUPPORTS SOUTH EAST HIGHWAY” which also has the link to the information article here: “ROAD PLAN CONCERNS”

 

I will attend the public meeting and rather observe this time round, participate actively as I am affected by the project. The corridor if and when fully completed is five minutes away to the east of where I live and will cause rat-running down a main road I use to get to Papakura Town Centre and Rail Station, will possible spill on effects to my local road as some might use it as a bypass…

 

So a project that hits close to home both here in Papakura and in Manukau along Redoubt Road…

 

Lesson From Melbourne

·

Auckland Transport: Take Note

 

Saw this via my Twitter feed a few moments ago:

Fare evaders allowed to do a runner

Michelle Griffin

 

Yarra Trams has ordered its inspectors not to pursue fleeing or aggressive fare evaders after a spate of attacks.

In an internal Yarra Trams memo obtained by 3AW, dated March 2013, ticket inspectors are told they:

  • Must not block the path of, or attempt to physically detain a person who attempts to walk/run away.
  • Must always maintain a safe distance between themselves and a person being spoken to – if possible.
  • Must not surround or corner any person being spoken to regarding an offence under the Act.

The edict was issued after 10 assaults on ticket inspectors on trams between January and March this year. According to a Yarra Trams spokesman, this is “slightly higher” than the number of assaults at the same time last year, and resulted in 15 minor injuries, such as sprains and bruises.

The edict effectively ensures that those who refuse to give their name and address and instead flee cannot be detained or fined.

This comes just as Public Transport Victoria orders an increase in tram patrols by inspectors, in an attempt to cut fare evasion to 7 per cent across the public transport network.

There have been several aggressive confrontations between inspectors and passengers reported in recent years.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fare-evaders-allowed-to-do-a-runner-20130426-2iid2.html#ixzz2RWdwDPO7

 

This is happening in Melbourne while we have this per Campbell Live: “SERIOUSLY AUCKLAND TRANSPORT?” that I covered recently. No wonder why Councillor Mike Lee is jumping up and down red and blue in the face. But in acknowledgement and balance: Dr Lester Levy of Auckland Transport is actively working on this situation – a man I can trust as a ratepayer to sort what is best for both AT/Rail and the city (AUCKLAND TRANSPORT TO RE-THINK STRATEGY).

 

But Auckland Transport – take note of Melbourne please SO WE CAN AVOID Melbourne’s situation…

 

 

North Shore Rail – Actively Being Considered

·

Wheels Turning (Slowly) for North Shore Rail

 

Came across this last night while reading up happenings across the city: “Shore rail considered”

From the article:

 

Rail to the North Shore is being investigated by Auckland Transport.

The public transport mode has been “identified by the Auckland Plan as an important extension to the rail network”, the council-controlled organisation’s annual report says. “A draft report on land use preconditions has been updated and finalised by Auckland Council following feedback received from stakeholders.” Auckland Transport goes on to say the NZ Transport Agency has reported on steps to restart work on an additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing. “Auckland Transport will need to consider the implications of this on planning for rapid transit on the North Shore.” The agency says it and “other stakeholders are considering the findings and possible next steps, including future proofing the rail connection”.

In November, Massey University vice-chancellor Steve Maharey said a section of its Albany campus was sold to Auckland Council. Mr Maharey claimed he was told it would become a public transport hub with light rail as an option

-ends-

 

I have commented on this before in my “NORTH SHORE RAIL FOR $2.5B?” post written in September:

…

Of all the options that were available, the one that caught my attention the most due to cost effectiveness while delivering the highest benefit was:

 

Meaning the Bus-way is extended, upgraded and fully optimised (so at maximum efficiency and/or capacity) before the Albany to CBD section of the Bus-way is flipped (converted) over to Heavy Rail which would connect to the Aotea Station of the City Rail Link. A reminder that the bus-way as it currently stands was designed to be flipped to rail in due time – so it should not be that difficult.

The conversion of the bus-way to heavy rail in Auckland Council’s and Auckland Transport‘s opinion would be around 2041. In my submission to the Auckland Plan, that conversion would be completed by 2040  (so third and final period of the current Auckland Plan):

…

 

Lets see where North Shore Rail goes. But by the looks of things it could be in position ahead on anticipated time. Remembering heavy rail can move upwards of 900% more people than the bus-way ever could. So a great decongestant for the North Shore 🙂