Better cities mean a wealthier New Zealand
Last week I took a look at whether government policy to support regional economies could divert growth away from Auckland. Based on the historical evidence, the answer seems to be no – people want to live in Auckland and start businesses here, and it’s senseless to try and stop that.…
61 Comments Labour announces transport policy
The Labour party released its transport policy yesterday and it’s one that has some really good aspects to it but that also leaves a lot of questions. Here are what they say are the key points.
Labour will: Build a 21st century transport system that provides choice and is cost effective
Rebalance the transport budget away from the current government’s exclusive focus on motorway projects towards a more rational investment in the most efficient and sustainable combination of transport modes.…
Cut projects or Increase Funding
The issue of how we fund transport projects has been in the news a lot recently with discussions of the council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). The Herald have been running a campaign basically suggesting the council finances are perilous and almost saying are bankrupt and trying to shift a lot of the blame on to the City Rail Link.…
Looking back at the existing LTP
Yesterday it emerged that the council is taking a knife to its next Long Term Plan and potentially start cutting projects completely in a bid to keep rates down. One comment that came through clearly yesterday was that the council will have to be careful what projects they cut because if they cut the wrong ones, like many of the PT and walking/cycling projects they should also cut the worlds most liveable city slogan too. …
WiFi coming to train stations
Waiting at a train station is about to get less boring with Auckland Transport launching WiFi at them next week.
AT HOP WiFi launches at train stations 26 May
Following the introduction of Auckland’s new electric trains, free WiFi internet access will be launched at train stations on 26 May.…
The Rail Electrified
Generations dreamed the wires,
Doubters shook their heads in scorn.
Brave men vowed that they would build it
From their faith electrification was born.
There it spans the miles of track
Speeding millions on their way
Glimpse of vision, hope and courage,
Portal to a brighter day.…
Cycle Safety Panel announced
In November last year after a coronial review of 13 cycling deaths Coroner Gordon Matenga said
“The best recommendation I can make to improve cycling safety in this country and to prevent further cycling deaths, is to recommend that an expert panel, drawn from stakeholders with a unique interest and expertise in cycling and road safety, be established to consider the available evidence and together, recommend the way forward for safer cycling in New Zealand,”
He also said it is something that should be done by the NZTA to ensure that central government agencies were involved.…
Slow Down (again)
This is a guest post from NCD
Some months ago we looked at the cost of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in New Zealand.
What if I was to suggest that there is a single change that could be made to Auckland’s transport system that is cheap to implement and that will have dramatic effects of road safety, quality of place and promotion of active modes of transport?…
Project Auckland op-eds
The Herald today has a large amount of op-eds on what is being called Project Auckland which is looking at how Auckland is going to develop and as you would expect, housing and transport features very heavily. Op-eds include Len Brown: Down to business
Lester Levy: Single focus sets city on the road to success
Liam Dann: The stalemate is cracking at last
Tony Garnier: 2014 a pivotal year for Project Auckland
Package solution for transport projects
Kim Cambell: Business-friendly city a must for jobs
Michael Barnett: Auckland needs a team of champions
The debate over change
Matthew Heal: Lessons to be learned from London Olympics
Robert Jones: ‘One plan’ a mature approach
Mark Smith: Migrants find much to offer here
Housing partnerships provide golden opportunity Now I’m not going to comment on every single article but rather some of the general themes within them, although I will pick out a few individual comments that have annoyed me (as I seem to be in a grumpy mood today which is quite unusual).…
Ponsonby Rd Masterplan Feedback Extended
*submissions open till September 16th* Online form here, plan here, previous post here.
Ponsonby Rd, the heart of my neighbourhood, isn’t bad, but I find it pretty difficult to argue that it is as good as it could be. Local retailers, cafe and restaurant operators, and building owners work hard on what they offer, including the physical qualities of their businesses, but the strip itself is pretty ordinary.…
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