Tag: Public Transport

Public Transport Users Association Launched

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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

Mayor Caught Short on Airport Rail

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Hmmmmmm

 

Yesterday a few of us saw this Tweet from Mayor Len Brown:

 

Effectively I Tweeted right back to the Mayor that what he Tweeted was rather rich by his own doing. In other words the Mayor once had the Airport Rail (from Onehunga) as Priority Two right behind the City Rail Link as Priority One (Airport Rail needs the CRL first to stop congestion between Newmarket and Britomart) but is now Priority NOTHING with the East West road Link now Priority Two.

 

Transport Blog did a piece on the Airport Rail falling to the wayside here: What Is Happening With Airport Rail?

 

So the Mayor gets caught short in a case of all words and no action…

 

Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchange Confusion

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Still no clear communication from Auckland Transport

 

Source: Auckland Transport
Source: Auckland Transport

Otahuhu Interchange goes ahead but there is a catch Podcast

 

The excerpt from communications with Auckland Transport:

At the moment, Auckland Transport are operating in a very uncertain funding environment as they deal with potentially lower LTP capital expenditure in the Basic Transport Network (BTN) versus that in the Auckland Plan Transport Network (APTN). 

Auckland Transport have opted to progress design and potentially early works (within funding) on projects that would be funded in earlier years under the APTN to ensure momentum is not lost. 

And in the case of these two projects, the following would be the desired timeline without the constrained BTN funding:

  • Construction on the Manukau Bus Interchange project would start in the 1st quarter of 2015 with target completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.
  • Construction of the Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange would start later this month with expected completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.

 

In addition, Auckland Transport are currently exploring re-prioritisation options for these 2 projects.  As this is currently being worked through, no update to the draft LTP has been made. If re-prioritisation cannot be achieved in 2014/15 and in the early years of the LTP, Auckland Transport would only deliver on initial improvements within the current funding, with the delivery of full specification in 2020/21. 

Current Basic Transport Network (the Mayors proposal) budgeted figures:

Manukau Bus Interchange

  • We have design funding of $3.8m in 2014/15
  • Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
  • Total required funding is planned at $23.9m (inflated)

Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange

  • We have design and some early works funding of $6.3m in 2014/15
  • Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
  • Total required funding is planned at $26.8m (inflated)

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The BTN vs APTN Funding Situation

 

Context and Historic Posts on the Otahuhu and Manukau Interchange Situation (from oldest to newest)

Public Transport Projects Being Used as Political Weapons?

Update on Otahuhu Interchange

Otahuhu Interchange Proceeds

 

Updates as information comes to hand