Subscribe to RSSYet Another Big Public Transport Report: We Need Action, Not Words
Yet another big report into Auckland’s public transport is out today. It’s, as usual, got some great ideas, but it’s time to actually start seeing some action, especially when funding and government policy doesn’t seem to be overly welcoming for great ideas right now.
ARTA released a draft Auckland Regional Public Transport Plan for public consultation and it calls for a significant increase in investment in public transport over the next decade and beyond.
ARTA’s General Manager, Strategy and Planning, Peter Clark. says ARTA recognises that there will always be limitations on the amount of public funds that are available for transport initiatives and the need to prioritise how those funds will best be spent. “For this reason, the plan includes a set of policies aimed at guiding the prioritisation process. ARTA has also taken steps to ensure that the proposals contained in this plan will deliver economic benefits that justify investment.
He lists key priorities for ARTA in the next stage of developing the region’s public transport system include;
- an integrated network of services that makes interchange between and within modes, easy;
- an integrated system of fares and ticketing,
- a competitive and efficient market for public transport services
- an optimal allocation of risk between operators and ARTA and a consistent and integrated approach to the provision of commercial services
That’s all pretty much buzz words. But it’s worth taking the time to take in the full document which can be found here
The timetable for public consultation and release of the final Auckland RPTP is: 18th November 2009 - Draft RPTP released for consultation 24th December 2009 - Submissions close 15th -19th February 2010 - Public Hearings will occur April 2010 - Auckland RPTP launched
Written submissions can be made via [email protected] or www.arta.co.nz.
7 Comments
I can confirm that there’s nothing in this plan I haven’t seen before.
I can’t see how it’s any different from the Auckland Transport Plan or the Auckland Transport Programme.
I am still amazed at the circus forced on regional councils to do these types of reports… and then more reports to confirm reports (and so on and so on ….).
How come France, Switzerland and Germany do not have to do these, this often? Why is it they actually have good transport networks? Is it related to the number of reports? Less reports = more action?
In my 9 years in Switzerland, I never heard of continous reports. I only saw building of new rail, tram and bus networks.
Yes it’s very exhausting. How many reports saying the same does one need! In fact saying the same thing over and over for decades!
I guess each successive report and plan is produced to convince yet another set of masters?
I think the telling part as to why this is so unoriginal is in Rabin Rabindrans foreword where he talks about Joyce reviewing the PTMA, so any areas that may be affected by the review have been left out.
Also any serious use of the PTMA powers would require a bit of money to sort the current mess of services out, and that would not be forthcoming from NZTA in the current climate.
Hence the disappointment.
All ARTA can do at the moment is write reports. The lack of action comes from a lack of central government funding. We still have not had funding confirmed for electric trains,and we’ve seen operating cash for rail slashed recently how hard to you think it will be to get money for anything else. This government will provide funding for electric trains and that’s it. Nothing in this report (CDB loop etc) will be funded by this government no matter how long they are in power you can bank on that.
You hit the nail on the head Luke. My submission will basically be along the lines of “you guys fought like nuts to get these powers in the PTMA, Joyce hasn’t repealed those bits yet, take advantage of them while you can!”
I must admit I’m getting a bit of “submission fatigue” with all these plans & strategies.