Tag: South Auckland

Update on Manukau Interchange

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Going to have to force a redesign

 

Council has just endorsed the Lot 59-Concept on the Manukau Interchange and future subsequent developments in the area. Having read the Auckland Transport Blog comments (and they are for the most part educated comments so I take them with a measure of seriousness), reviewed feedback I got back after I posted on the issue yesterday and today, and compare it to what is being looked in the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre work that is slowly starting, I am rejecting the endorsement given.

Thus I will have a discussion with clients TotaRim has in the Manukau area and decide whether to lobby council to get the interchange redesigned better.

Because to be honest it is a poor standard design and will be both asking for trouble and not serve Manukau and wider South Auckland as it should! I am sorry but it is a design and reinforces 1970s planning that makes Manukau currently unloved and so needing much love.

We can do better and Council and AT need to be shown that.

I will seek advice on whether I can speak against the Concept at the next Auckland Plan Committee meeting…

 

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Really – With The Surveys?

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Seems the Centre Right are Lacking Again?

 

This keeps cropping up today thanks to Councillor Cameron Brewer:

Polls cost millions

Len Brown‘s Auckland Council has spent more than $5.1 million on pollsters and surveys in the past three years.

A council spokesman said about 60 per cent of the spending was required under law, mainly for annual planning and reporting.

 

But councillor Cameron Brewer said spending on pollsters was “out of control”.

 

Brewer said: “Think of the improvements a local park or playground could’ve enjoyed with this money. Instead it’s all gone into lining the pockets of private pollsters.”

The figures were released to Brewer under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

 

“It’s time to stop the spinning and get back to delivering core council services for ratepayers,” he said. He suspected the polling was being done for “purely political reasons”.

 

A further $212,237 has been spent on around 15,827 panellists that the council use to “have their say on a wide range of council issues, activities and plans”.

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You can read the rest over at the Herald site.

 

Seriously though is this all Cameron and candidate for mayorship Palino really think about at the moment?

While conducting polls is a vexed issue (and rightfully so), the People’s Panel to which I participate in is a straight forward exercise.

You sign up and periodically you get to fill out an electronic survey that comes into your email box. Where ever you can access the emails you can do the survey. And that means some days I might be filling one out at a lunch break in Town Hall. Most are short (although I did get a long one on parks and recreation) and relate to CORE service issues Council provide and the Right Wing blather on about.

The surveys I have done from the People’s Panel have included:

  • The Proposed Takanini Library (survey commissioned by the Local Board)
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Unitary Plan (had a few of those and a reason I was invited to the Civic Forums on the Unitary Plan)
  • Public Transport
  • The CBD

I seriously don’t see what the problem is with the People’s Panel (which do release summaries after the said survey). The surveys are designed to be quick, efficient and “portable” for when Council, the Local Boards, or even Auckland Transport are scoping out opinions.

Yes Desley (of Orakei) we can go to the Local Boards and the Local Boards can come to us. But, that can be slow and cumbersome when one needs a quick fire quantitative survey done on something. Heck even the Papakura Local Board engaged in a People’s Panel survey on the proposed Library.

I would assume my Local Board would then hold face to face or submission sessions on the Library if the survey results were in favour of the proposal.

 

So the People’s Panel has its use and I don’t mind giving my opinions to the Council in that format when they want to answer something particular. It can sure beat writing 105 page submissions and long blog posts to boot.

But, in their drive for “savings” and “core services” it would seem Brewer and Palino would cut off an actual “core service” – by denying an easy medium for Council to (you know Cameron seeming you go on about it) engage with the local or wider community.

Oh and if you wonder about the gauge of opinions, well I know the Panel would be diverse if my comments and Facebook friend Scott’s are anything to go by. Some days we would agree other days the Centre Left and Centre Right arguments (me being the “young Tory) will come out. And by looking at the Civic Forums the mix was reasonably balanced except on the geographic front where South Auckland was lacking in numbers BADLY!

 

Come on guys find better ways in getting our rates bill down – while not hobbling an engagement arm Council and running distractions on lack of hard policy…

Informative Open Day from AT

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You Should Go to One

 

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:

  • Bus Routes 365 and 371
  • Te Mahia Station being closed (which I support)
  • The Manukau and Otahuhu Transport Interchanges

(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:

From the AT Website

Open Days

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.

  • Saturday 13 July at Papakura Crossroads Church, 25 Broadway from 10am to 5pm
  • Monday 15 July at Manurewa Library, 7 Hill Road from 10am to 7pm
  • Tuesday 16 July at Mangere-Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre, 14 Waddon Place from 12pm to 7.30pm
  • Wednesday 17 July at Papatoetoe Town Hall, 5 St George St from 10am to 8pm
  • Thursday 18 July in the Manukau Room, Auckland Council Civic Building, 31 Manukau Station Road from 10.30 to 8pm
  • Saturday 20 July at the Otara Market (community centre), Newbury St from 7am to 4pm
  • Thursday 25 July at the Otahuhu Recreation Centre, Fairburn Reserve, 30 Mason Ave from 10am to 7.30pm
  • Saturday 27 July at the Onehunga Community Centre, Jackson & Yates Rooms, 83 Church St from 10am to 5pm

…..

 

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.

Text Response
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

totarim transport poster png mode

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Consultation Begins on Southern Auckland P/T Network

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Get Your Feedback In

 

Yesterday Auckland Transport kicked off the consultation round on the Southern Auckland public transport network. We have until early August to “review” what is proposed and submit our feedback for AT’s consideration.

You can check the website dedicated to this over here: “New Public Transport Network”

Emphasis is placed on the following steps before you fill in that submission form:

New Network Southern Consultation

Consultation is open on the New Network for South Auckland from 19 June to 4pm, Friday 2 August 2013.

To find out about the proposed changes and have your say we suggest you follow these three steps:

Step 1: Watch the video if you haven’t already, to understand how the New Network will transform Auckland’s public transport system.

Step 2: See the maps, and read the overview of the New Network for South Auckland in more detail, to learn about how the New Network will affect you.

Step 3: Have your say by completing the online feedback form, or come along to an open day.

If you are visually impaired or need assistance to complete the feedback form due to a disability, call our contact centre on 09 366 6400 and a call centre staff can complete the form on your behalf.

Download a consultation brochure in a language of your choice.

Read a consultation brochure in an accessible format.

Follow us on Twitter.

Register to receive email updates about the New Network.

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Source – Auckland Transport

I notice AT have gone quite the length to communicate across as many mediums and in many languages as possible. I suppose that is owing to the diversity of those who live in South. So credit to Auckland Transport for their actual genuine attempt in reaching out across the spectrum in their communication – well done (and finally).

 

I have gone through the maps already and will be forming up my feedback soon. I notice the off-peak frequencies for the connector and especially the Local Services are a bit of a disappointment. A disappointment if the frequencies drop right back to hourly which does no one any good and continues to force car use unnecessarily. So AT has a bit of work to do in that department before the entire thing is finalised…

 

So what are your thoughts on the proposed network for the South? Comments welcome below.