Who pays when roads and parking are “free” to use?
This guest post by George Weeks originally appeared on The Spinoff and is reposted with kind permission.
It might seem like a good deal, but toll-free roading results in congestion and free parking leads to frustrated circling. Drivers end up paying with their precious time – and the social cost is huge. …
74 Comments New Harbour Crossing Survey
The government yesterday announced a consultation on the options for a new harbour crossing.
Aucklanders are being asked to have their say on one of the most significant city-shaping projects for Tāmaki Makaurau in coming decades, the Waitematā Harbour crossing, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced.…
A few more ideas to plug the council’s revenue gap
Yesterday I covered the that the council has revealed it has a $270 million operational cost gap that it needs to fill, largely caused by higher than expected inflation and interest costs. A lot of public discussion has already begun on how to address that and it seems to be focusing on things like selling the council’s airport shares or leasing out port operations.…
Wayne Brown’s expectations of AT
Last week, Auckland’s new Mayor, Wayne Brown, started a new trend by publishing a letter a day on various priorities of his, with mobile phone blackspots on Sunday, Three Waters on Monday and the Port on Tuesday.
On Wednesday his focus turned to Auckland Transport, from whom he demanded a “complete change in approach“:
“You appear to have been focussed on changing how Aucklanders live, using transport policy and services as a tool,” he wrote.…
Midtown Streets Regeneration starting soon
With the City Rail Link tunnelling now complete the major civil works at the Te Waihorotiu station will soon be completed and some of the focus can shift to the above-ground works.
Earlier this week Auckland Council and Auckland Transport confirmed that early next year, work will start on the planned improvements to Victoria and Wellesley Streets, which are “a pivotal part of the city centre’s midtown regeneration programme“.…
Temporary Traffic Management for a better city
Disruption in our transport corridors is a given. Annoying though it is, it’s also a gift, because it can be managed in a way that delivers climate action, and makes life easier and safer for the most vulnerable people on our road.…
Activity Classes are not the Strategic Direction
Streets so safe that getting around by bike is easy, children are independent, and our elderly can move around town without feeling stressed. Public transport so attractive that no one ever feels forced to drive. A transport system that becomes gradually less expensive to operate, and more environmentally sustainable, as it is improved over time.…
Streets for People: more agile projects on the way
The Streets for People programme was launched yesterday at Newtown School in Wellington. This is a $30m boost from Waka Kotahi to help councils around the country make adaptable changes to streets and public spaces.
The event was covered by Stuff, RNZ,and Newshub, with some pretty cute footage of the Transport Minister and Mayor of Wellington riding bikes alongside locals of all sizes.…
Southern Level Crossing Removal
One of the goals for Auckland’s rail network is the removal of all level crossings on the electrified network. Primarily this is about improving safety as with more and more trains expected to be running in the future it will mean barrier arms will be down more often, increasing the chance that people will take risks at level crossings to avoid delays.…
Too little, too late: what now for safety?
Auckland Transport is consulting on safety improvements in Pukekohe town centre, including raised crossings and new traffic signals. Feedback closes tomorrow Wednesday 31 August, so it’s not too late to have your say. Unfortunately, it is too late for the poor soul who died on Monday after being hit by a bus at a roundabout that AT proposes replacing with traffic lights. …
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