The forgotten area of Auckland getting much needed transit infrastructure love. There have been talks about this by officialdom including Ministers and the Mayor for a while now in regards … Continue reading NZTA and Auckland Transport Propose (Interim) Transit Infrastructure for Auckland’s North West
Quick win While we wait for Auckland Transport and Central Government to get cracking with Airport rail (see: Airport Light Rail Case Study Contained Errors Prompting Review? Back to Heavy Rail?) … Continue reading 380 Airporter Needs to be Split into Two
Something so simple eludes so many in Auckland Transport In light of yesterday’s Auckland Transport to Miss Bus Patronage Targets maybe our transport engineers in Cities Skylines should pass a course in … Continue reading #CitiesSkylines Shows Auckland Transport Bus Lanes
This just in from Auckland Transport:
—ends—
Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/otahuhu-interchange-design-finalised/5/228134
In regards to the Manukau Interchange design this is where we are currently at:
Dear Ben
Thank you for your request for information regarding the Manukau
Interchange.
The response for your request is in the final stages of approval for
release and will be sent to you as soon as possible.……….
I will give Auckland Transport until Friday before looking at making a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Sorry Not Inspiring I have read the plans about five times now in regards for the proposed Manukau Interchange that will be discussed tomorrow at the Auckland Plan Committee. … Continue reading The Manukau Interchange
I went to the Auckland Transport Open Day this morning in Papakura (while Rebekka was at the library) to have a nosy and ask some questions. On the cards was:
(Note this was different to the status I gave on Facebook)
So I rocked up, signed in, got the notebook, started taking some nots, and asked some questions to the very helpful attendants. Oh and I got a brochure too so I can pass it to someone else for a read.
Overall I was there for 30mins and was worth it. I highly recommend rocking up to one and going yourself. These are the open days for the Southern Network:
To give Aucklanders the opportunity to ask any further questions in person and learn more about what the New Network will involve, we’re holding Open Days across South Auckland during the consultation period. Come along to an Open Day near you.
…..
Before I sign off I will repost AT’s FAQ around this as it should be compulsory reading before going along – it does answer some of the obvious
From AT again
| New Network for the SouthQ&A with Anthony Cross, Auckland Transport’s Public Transport Network Manager
Q: How is the submission process going? A: We’re tracking well with more than 500 submissions already received. Overall feedback has been favourable of the change. There are of course some routes and proposals that have captured people’s interest, which is fine and what we have been expecting. We’re aiming to create a network that is both useful and convenient for more people in South Auckland. We hope to improve on it with the public’s input. Q: Do you have any advice for people sending in submissions? A: Yes, please be as detailed as possible to ensure we can identify your desired changes. For example, changing the XX route to go down XX road is more helpful than saying don’t like the new route. Or the XX connection point is not a suitable location because of X and Y. If you have questions or disagree with something, attending an Open Day would be helpful. Staff will be on hand to speak with you and go over the proposals to help inform your submission. Please tell us what you like as well as what you don’t like. And of course don’t leave it too late to send it in. Q: The southern consultation closes in August 2013 but won’t be implemented until early 2015. Why does implementation take so long? A: We understand it can be viewed as a lengthy process, but there are many elements involved when making changes of this scale. After consultation is the analysis of submissions. Are there routes and areas that need changing? This kind of fine tuning is needed before we can confirm the final southern network. Because we are changing existing services, all new services will be contracted through a competitive tendering process. The successful operator will then require time to set up their operation (buses, drivers) to deliver these services. Also, there need to be some infrastructure changes. For example, we need to build interchanges at Otahuhu and Manukau and to improve bus stops at many locations. Q: What are the main changes proposed in the New Network for South Auckland? A: For the full details on how South Auckland’s public transport network will change under the New Network, I suggest people look through all the information available on our website, but one example is the introduction of a new Frequent Network. This Frequent Network will have trains and buses timetabled at least every 15 minutes, from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. It will be supported by a network of Connector routes timetabled at least every 30 minutes, along with Local and Peak services, to ensure South Aucklanders continue to have good access to public transport. Q: What are the benefits of the New Network? A: The most significant benefits are that the New Network is easy to understand, and operates frequently over a larger part of the day, all week including weekends. The frequency and increased service hours mean people can consider using public transport for a greater range of purposes, such as shopping and leisure activities, not just their regular work-home commuter trips. We’ve also made improvements to travel between key locations within South Auckland, for example the route that connects Mangere to the airport. Looking at the New Network map, it’s noticeable how much we have simplified the network – and a simple network gives people more confidence to navigate it. Right now people might only stick to the journeys they’re familiar with; we hope the New Network will offer Aucklanders flexibility and spontaneity in getting around Auckland for work or play. |
| Go to the New Network project page on the Auckland Transport website |
Please do note the part I have put in red. One thing I notice with submissions and this was apparent with the Unitary Plan is that the residents will sit there cross armed and go “No don’t like it” but, never give an alternative. Those folks are your ultra NIMBY‘s – in the road of progress.
If you don’t like something in particular with a bus route, then write something meaningful as an alternative.
I went through the process on pointing out some meaningful changes to the proposed 365 and 371 routes in East Papakura. It can be seen here below:
19. Is there anything about the New Network you would change to better meet your travel needs? Please be specific e.g. change the xx route to go down xx road increase frequency of xx route because… xx connection point should be moved 100m south down xx road xx connection environment should be improved with a shelter xx connection point is not a suitable location because…. Please be as precise as possible to ensure we can identify your desired changes.
| Route 365 to terminate at Manurewa rather than Manukau (from Papakura). Have the proposed 365 route from Manurewa to Manukau dropped back to a Local Service rather than a connector service and renumbered.This is due to the proposed 365 route being too long, windy and redundant with the proposed Manukau South Rail Link in the pipeline that would allow direct fast train travel from Pukekohe and Papakura to Manukau Station instead of clumsy transfers at Puhinui
Route 365 (Papakura to Manurewa) should be having a stop 100 metres to the west – meaning it takes a detour along Walters Road, Arion Road and Willow Camp Road before rejoining Porchester Road to allow direct feeding to the large Takanini Village and proposed Glenora Road Station Route 371: (Papakura to Takanini) should be having stops 100 metres to the west – meaning it takes a detour along Walters Road, Arion Road and Willow Camp Road before rejoining Porchester Road to allow direct feeding to the large Takanini Village and proposed Glenora Road Station until the “extended section” of Route 371 takes effect To which it should take its proposed “extended” path 20 minute off peak frequencies between 9-4 seven days a week with it extended to 11pm Fridays and Saturdays for Routes 371 and 365 |
Yes I had the map open when writing all that up. No it does not have to be as long and as complex as what I came up with either. But, the above does serve as an example on what AT would be looking for if you were promoting a route change.
So if you catch public transport or want to with gas hitting well over $2.22/litre (still $2.10 – $2.19 where I live) then I’d suggest getting along to an open day and both learn something as well as give suggestions back. It will be YOUR public transport in YOUR city after all
I finally wrote up and sent my feedback to Auckland Transport using the Online Feedback Form (no need for a 104 page monster this time round) today.
You can see what I exactly submitted on in the PDF embed below
I made no mention around the Te Mahia Station closing issue (which I support in closing) as that I will bring up at the Papakura Open Day this Saturday with the transport planners.
My primary feedback was around the good quality of the work drafted up by Auckland Transport on the Southern Public Transport Network proposal, and around the 365 and 371 bus routes which I would use once on stream.
I did suggest some changes to Routes 371 and 365 so that it takes into account Takanini Village and the proposed Glenora Road Station as potential stops. Some other changes and mention around off-peak frequencies were mentioned as well.
I did make a push for the Manukau South Rail Link again as part of the frequent transit network from Pukekohe and Papakura so that Southern Auckland gets a dedicated rapid and direct service to our biggest employment centre (in the south). The reasoning around that was a train from Pukekohe to Papakura to Manukau via the south link is faster than buses which would get caught in bottlenecks along the Great South Road (as well as stuck with 50km/h limits to the train’s 90-110km/h limits) and as hinted with speed limits actually faster than the bus. That also means faster than going to Puhinui Station by train and going through a clumsy transfer onto a Manukau Train from Britomart on a cold winter’s morning 😛
So let’s see where this feedback goes once AT starts its considerations on it all post August 2 (when the feedback closes)
You can see the Southern P/T Network over at AT’s webpage: New Public Transport Network
From time to time in my downtime I go an embark on some “alternative” city planning and building. That being off to play a round of Cities XL 2012 for a couple of hours busy planning, building, rebuilding and managing the city/town/village. Currently on the “planet” I have 6 cities or villages under way, each specialising on a specific task at hand. Whether that be a farming town to supply food to the other cities, or a holiday town for people to get a way and relax, or a big hulking industrial and commerce centre as a central point of interactions.
At the moment I am busy focusing on Delta City, a city that will be a large hulking industrial and manufacturing centre coupled to an extensive port to “export” and “import” all the trade of the other five cities.
Delta City is at 202,000 and growing surely but steadily as it becomes the manufacturing hub on the “region.”
For all the current 212 shots you can visit the Delta City Slideshow HERE!
Now one wonders how I get thus far with such a large city? Well this next shot does help:
These snapshots which I take an overview shot of the city then doodle lines on them happen when I am embarking on major transport and/or urban development projects. In this case I am planning for major road thoroughfares and bypasses to move the bulk of the cars, trucks and buses around as Delta City continues to sprawl outwards.
Now for our public transport junkies (or mass transit as said in North America) there is no mass transit currently in Delta City. However extensive tram tracks as well as the Operation Centres for buses and trams has been built. The next step is to build the bus and tram depots, then the tram/bus stops, then the actual routes themselves for the citizens to use. This of course takes a bit of time to do as your money is limited and citizens always moaning about something else along the way…
However this “retail” version of a city and transport simulations is a good way to pass the downtime and home in some skills gained in real life city living and planning. I might post some more up from the other cities as well over time.
Not so sure what to think here but it would seem NZ Bus Drivers have rejected their latest pay offer from NZ Bus who run Auckland’s Metrolink, Waka Pacific, Go West, North Star and Link (City, Inner and Outer) bus fleet.
This is from my inbox this morning (Saturday):
Results of Auckland bus drivers ballot
Bus drivers have voted against a revised proposal from NZ Bus for their collective employment agreement.
The vote was 51% against ratifying the proposed settlement, and 49% in favour.
Drivers voted by secret ballot at their different bus depots over the past week and a Company lawyer was present to supervise the counting of the vote.
Spokesperson for the bus unions, Karl Andersen, said that the voter turnout was very good. There were very few union members that didn’t vote.
“After careful consideration of the offer, drivers are still of the view that they don’t earn enough to provide for themselves and their families,” he said.
Karl Andersen said despite some movement from NZ Bus, both the amount offered by the company, and a delayed implementation of pay increases, was still a core issue for drivers.
The unions are considering their options at the moment and will make some decisions about next steps early next week, he said.
On Monday we will probably hear what is next in store for NZ Bus, its union workers, and bus commuters. Hopefully no more strikes…
Some good news after the Bums Rush Auckland Council gave yesterday with its continuing crap handling of our finances. Auckland Transport had released the much vaunted Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) for viewing AND submissions. You can check the RPTP at the AT website HERE (which includes links to the submission form) or read the embed at the bottom of this post.
I am busy reading through the 138 page document but from what I have seen so far I can personally say that if we follow through with this, then Auckland as another blogger said is on the cusp of a (Public) Transport Revolution. Yes I will be forming an extensive submission on this RPTP, especially around the “zones,” fares and most likely feeder bus set ups. And yes I will trundle along to a hearing in front of Auckland Transport if the CCO gives enough heads up for me to get a period of time off work.
As I said earlier, I am busy reading through the document, so no extensive commentary just yet. But from glances at the website and summary documents I can safely say (for now) that the RPTP will meet the number three fundamental in my “What I Stand For – For Auckland” page:
- An Integrated Approach to Transport: None of this “all for one but not the other approach” we get from both roading and Green lobbyists. Road and Mass Transit both have their places here in Auckland – albeit more balanced like the Generation Zero 50:50 campaign This integrated approach also applies to many other things out there – I call it The Best of Both Worlds.
While I begin writing the submission to the RPTP, I’ll show an example of what will be in my submission – in this case Zonal Fare:
From my ZONAL FARES post written last month:
Ben’s Proposals for Zone Based Fares
Four Zones (I will draw a map later) with the Central Post Office (so Britomart Transport Centre) as the central focus point in which the zones are calculated:
- City Zone (Orakei, Newmarket and Grafton Trains Stations, plus the city side of the Harbour Bridge andPonsonby Road form that boundary)
- Inner Zone (Basically marked by the traditional Otahuhu and New Lynn fare boundaries, and Smales Farm on the North Shore)
- Outer Zone (Manurewa to the south, Westgate and Swanson to the West and Albany to the north)
- Regional Zone (all areas beyond the outer zone)
These zones are like a target with a cross in the middle extending through the zones. From the very south to the very north of the zoned areas would mean travelling through eight zones one way. Four zones to get half way the journey and another four zones as you move through the centre to the other end of the city.
The fares for moving within or between the four zones (single trip – cash fare one way – flat fee regardless or adult or child)
- Within a single Zone: $2
- Between two Zones: $3
- Between three Zones:$5
- Between four Zones: $7
- Five or more Zones: four zone fare plus the price of the “extra zones” travelled to the daily fare cap of $15 (so travelling six zones would equal $7 + $3 = $10 one way)
I also propose a maximum fare cap of $15 per day for all travel on the integrated public transport system. However you would still be able to by a full day pass for unlimited travel on all modes across all zones from 9am Weekdays and all day weekends and public holidays for a discounted cap price of $13 if you know you are going to be travelling around all day.
The trusty Family Pass should also be made available at the same time as a full day pass for the flat fee of $25. Super Gold holders ride free per usual at their dedicated times.
Okay so we have the zones set (map coming later in an update) and the fares organised for cash-single trips (no using an AT-HOP card), the day and family passes, Super Gold Holders and the maximum fare cap for any one day’s travel.
Now to using an AT-HOP card in place of cash.
Those who would use an AT-HOP card would be our current more frequent travellers who use the exiting ten-trip passes (being phased out) or monthly passes. Using an AT-HOP card should mean you get a discount when paying your fare compared to feeding money down a ticket machine or to the ticket office. Thus I propose the AT-HOP cards have a flat 20% discount regardless of child, adult or tertiary student on the cash fare otherwise charged for your journey. As for Monthly passes there would be four sets of “monthlies” available with prices reflecting discounts accordingly. The same conditions on your 31 days of use from the first day “used” with the existing monthly paper monthlies will transfer over to the AT-HOP Card loaded with Monthly profiles.
The Four Monthly Passes and fares (child in brackets)
- 1-Z – For travelling within one zone: $60 ($50)
- 2-Z – For travelling between two zones: $90 ($75)
- 3-Z – For travelling between three zones: $ $150 ($110)
- A-Z – Ultimate pass – travelling between four or more zones: $210 ($150)
The discount rate for adults with Monthly Passes is at minimum 25% compared to single-cash fare with child passes higher (there are no Tertiary discounts).
As for bikes – free travel but as per usual to on-board staff discretion depending on train loadings.
I still have a lot of work to do on these but it is a start and would be a good time to get the initial dialogue going to refine this idea ready for a submission to Auckland Transport in due time.
Well that due time is here and it is time to write that submission.
The submission will also become another piece of my “policy platform” when I contend for Papakura Local Board in next year’s Local Government Elections.
Shining The Light –
To a Better Auckland
Auckland 2013: YOUR CITY – YOUR CALL
Talking Southern Auckland 