transport Archive

• 

  Better transport planning needed in Christchurch - by Eugenie Sage

  
  
  
  This week in Christchurch I attended a breakfast lecture by visiting planning consultant Todd Litman from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, British Colombia.  He was advocating the benefits of “multi-modalism” transport planning – which basically means modern transport planning that spreads the focus over several forms of transport options – cars, public transport, cycleways, and [...] read more
  May 17, 2013 1:44 pm - 2 Comments
• 

  A motorway to save “dying” Wellington? - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Recently, to shrug off blame for the Wellington region’s contraction in employment per capita, the government has taken to blaming the city council’s opposition to roading. As I have mentioned before, National has big plans to spend billions (perhaps as much as $5 billion, if we include the $2.4 billion interest on the private loan [...] read more
  May 12, 2013 11:55 pm - 72 Comments
• 

  Basin flyover won’t solve traffic woes - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Some influential people in Wellington (including the editorial board of the Dominion Post) seem to have an unshakeable faith that a four-lane road from Levin to the airport, including a motorway bridge at the Basin Reserve, will solve substantial traffic problems in Wellington and support economic growth.   Late last week, Wellington City Council split [...] read more
  March 26, 2013 9:46 pm - 29 Comments
• 

  The fight to save Gissy rail - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Getting accurate information and good decisions on transport at the moment is a bit like pulling teeth. It’s painful, frustrating and can be very pricey. This is why it was such good news to hear Gisborne City Councillor Manu Caddie telling Morning Report this week that nearly $14,000 has been raised to pay for an [...] read more
  October 12, 2012 11:45 am - 28 Comments
• 

  Public servants go on scrapheap while consultants cash in - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Tough financial times? Not if you’re a consultant working for the National Government on one of its poor priority pet projects. Today’s revelation that the Government has spent $200 million in the past three years for transport consultants to work on its roads of national significance reveal a stunning waste of money. The roads are [...] read more
  July 16, 2012 3:45 pm - 55 Comments
• 

  History (sometimes) repeats – Saving Fiordland - by Eugenie Sage

  
  
  
  Some 40 years ago the Save Manapouri campaign began with a meeting in Te Anau. Protecting Lake Manapouri from being raised and operated as a hydro lake and the lake shore forest inundated involved the biggest public mobilisation for the environment New Zealand had ever seen. Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau together with the rest [...] read more
  July 16, 2012 1:48 pm - 5 Comments
• 

  More jobs derailed as Government fails to address unemployment - by frog

  
  
  
  Slashing jobs at state-owned KiwiRail while the Government heaps pressure on unemployed people to go back to work – disconnect much? Today’s revelation that up to 220 KiwiRail workers could lose their jobs is shocking on many levels; the loss of paid work for so many families, erosion of rail safety, and the undermining of [...] read more
  July 10, 2012 11:11 am - 5 Comments
• 

  There’s no better time to invest in cycling - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  There’s things going on all over the world at the moment that tell us that using bicycles for transport is more than just a fad – it’s a growing phenomenon that offers all sorts of solutions to our transport woes. Cycling is a win-win-win for transport. It reduces congestion. It reduces fuel use. It makes [...] read more
  May 4, 2012 10:46 am - 20 Comments
• 

  Transport news round-up - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  So much is happening in transport that it’s a bit hard to keep up and put out an informed post on each happening, so here’s a round-up: First, the bad news: The Napier—Gisborne line is hanging by a thread after being washed out. This is a huge blow to the regional freight line, which thanks [...] read more
  March 27, 2012 6:09 pm - 34 Comments
• 

  Mad monorail proposal in Southland tussock grasslands and beech forests - by Eugenie Sage

  
  
  
  Various alternate routes to Milford Sound have been proposed over the years to solve the perceived problem of travel time to, and congestion at Milford Sound. They include the train tunnel, the highway from Haast and the gondola. Two new proposals now seek concessions from the Department of Conservation. Milford Dart Ltd wants to build [...] read more
  February 24, 2012 10:23 am - 35 Comments
• 

  Can’t or won’t? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  On Tuesday, Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development and Science and Innovation, wrote about the ‘you cant’s’ of our country, in an opinion piece in the NZ Herald. Feeling that perhaps I am one of those people he criticises as ‘people who in the one breath chant “more jobs, more jobs” and then in the next breath say “but don’t do that, or that, or that”, I thought I would ask Mr Joyce a few questions about why he and... read more
  February 10, 2012 2:11 pm - 102 Comments
• 

  Cycling to Southland — Epilogue - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  This is how the story ends. Yesterday I took apart my bike and crammed it into the small rental car of a friend attending the festival. We drove back to Dunedin airport, where incredibly helpful people gave us materials to pack up the bike. Upon arrival in Wellington, I unpacked it, put it back together [...] read more
  January 24, 2012 3:37 pm - 22 Comments
• 

  Day 6 – just 110km or so to go - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  I’m nearly in Southland, having traversed coastal Otago, and headed west into the strong winds this evening. I left beautiful Karitane this morning, after an incredible breakfast that included gluten free pancakes made by my exceedingly generous hosts. The morning was cool and overcast, perfect conditions for cycling, and still very beautiful. The ocean was [...] read more
  January 20, 2012 3:55 pm - 2 Comments
• 

  Day 4 — The strawberry trail into Otago (after a slightly emo pep talk) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Disclaimer: the purpose of this trip is not any of the following A. To reduce my own carbon footprint (I try to do that, but the reality is that I have to fly back) B. To encourage others to risk their lives cycling on state highways C. To say that everyone should always cycle or take [...] read more
  January 17, 2012 11:26 pm - 7 Comments
• 

  Cycling to Southland – Day 1 (the easy part) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  When I initially conceived of this journey to Southland by bike, I hoped to cycle down the west coast from Picton. But a quick look at the distance (over 1000km) and the calendar made it clear it would be impossible to get to the festival by the 21st. So I decided to take the train [...] read more
  January 14, 2012 11:03 pm - 34 Comments
• 

  Minister should come clean on uneconomic motorways - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  What does the Minister have to hide on his expensive motorways? read more
  December 7, 2011 2:07 pm - 2 Comments
• 

  Greens still best for Auckland transport - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  National and Labour have now both revealed their transport plans for Auckland. read more
  October 30, 2011 5:17 pm - 26 Comments
• 

  Uranium yellowcake in nuclear-Free New Zealand ports - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I think many Kiwis would be shocked to find out Nuclear-Free New Zealand is playing a role in the international nuclear chain but even more so in the aftermath of the Rena tragedy that consenting requirements and response strategies are woefully inadequate. read more
  October 30, 2011 4:45 pm - 18 Comments
• 

  Park the urban sprawl – how parking shapes our cities - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The Herald reports the government has been criticizing Auckland Council for it’s new spatial plan. The government says the spatial plan places too much emphasis on improving public transport and creating a compact urban form (as if they’re bad!). read more
  October 27, 2011 9:18 am - 7 Comments
• 

  Transport funding CONsultation - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  A few months ago I wrote a draft submission on the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport funding and encouraged members of the public to send it in. Normally, I generally don’t encourage people to make form submissions on a topic but because the issue of land transport funding is pretty technical I wanted to [...] read more
  October 18, 2011 1:55 pm - 5 Comments
• 

  Government slow to act on Rena highlights oil drilling risks - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  As oil hits the shore I’d like to salute the hundreds of people working very hard to contain the spill and volunteers registering to clean up the beaches. It’s a deeply worrying situation especially with a severe weather warning issued. The Government and petroleum industry have gone on the defensive over the speed of the [...] read more
  October 10, 2011 4:27 pm - 22 Comments
• 

  Joyce needs to act decisively on Rena crisis - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  It is deeply concerning to see the stricken ship Rena, leaking oil into the ocean near Tauranga Harbour. This is looking like a full-scale environmental disaster. read more
  October 7, 2011 5:26 pm - 60 Comments
• 

  Cruisin’ with Charles on Carfree Day - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Today is World Carfree Day – how did you get around? Did you have a choice of safe walking or cycling; or to catch a bus, train or ferry; or were you like many Kiwis and was driving your only choice? World Carfree Day is a great day to say we deserve choices about how [...] read more
  September 22, 2011 2:07 pm - 5 Comments
• 

  Transport fiasco inquiry blocked - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Just now the National-dominated Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee blocked my attempt at the committee conducting an urgent inquiry into the transport fiasco on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup. read more
  September 15, 2011 11:40 am - 10 Comments
• 

  Why won’t National listen to Auckland on CBD rail link? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I was astonished that a few weeks back Auckland MPs voted against inviting the Auckland Council to submit on the CBD rail link debate. I can only talk about it now because the report containing my minority report was tabled in Parliament today. The Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee was discussing my petition to [...] read more
  September 8, 2011 4:52 pm - 11 Comments
• 

  Mayoral backing for Auckland Harbour Bridge Walkway/Cycleway - by Keith Locke

  
  
  
  It looks like there may be a breakthrough in the years long campaign for a bikeway/cycleway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Yesterday I attended the launch of the Pathway Working Group”s concept plan in the newly opened waterfront Wynyard Quarter. Auckland Mayor Len Brown spoke very positively about the plan, and it was supported by [...] read more
  August 22, 2011 10:12 am - 2 Comments
• 

  Exciting next phase in National Cycle Network - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  I’m writing this from the Overlander train, heading North to Taumarunui. Tomorrow morning I’m part of an event there to launch the next phase of Nga Haerenga: the New Zealand Cycle Trail Network. Nga Haerenga is a joint project of the Green and National parties – Green cycling expertise and Government money. You may remember [...] read more
  August 19, 2011 9:43 am - 2 Comments
• 

  Round up of transport news - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I’ve been whipping around the country a lot lately visiting students at Orientation. So I haven’t had a chance to post much. But here’s a bit of a round up of the big transport stories of the last few weeks and my reaction. More funds for rail upgrades in Wellington. The government has announced an [...] read more
  August 2, 2011 6:59 pm - 10 Comments
• 

  A transport poll Joyce won’t like - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  A Herald-DigiPoll released today shows what we’ve been saying for months – Aucklanders want a CBD rail link, not more roads. read more
  July 14, 2011 6:54 pm - 6 Comments
• 

  The flyover, the tunnel and the bulldozers - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has released their plans for a flyover next to the Basin Reserve, a second Mt Victoria tunnel and the widening of Ruahine St and Wellington Rd up to seven lanes. Despite clear opposition to the flyover, the NZTA have offered Wellingtonians two options of the same 8 metre high [...] read more
  July 8, 2011 2:37 pm - 8 Comments
• 

  Pedestrianise Queen Street? Hell yeah! - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The Auckland Council is consulting right now on a discussion document called the City Centre Master Plan (PDF). It almost slipped under my radar but I’ve managed to draft up a quick submission to go in before the closing date – this Friday, the 17th of June. I encourage you to make an online submission [...] read more
  June 16, 2011 11:51 pm - 14 Comments
• 

  Budget 2011: Gareth Hughes’ speech on transport - by frog

  
  
  
  Kia ora, Mr Assistant Speaker. It is a privilege to take a call in this Budget debate, and I intend to focus on transport issues. When it comes to transport, this Government, under Steven Joyce as transport Minister, is simply on the wrong track. This Government is creating monuments in concrete and asphalt to 1950s-style [...] read more
  June 10, 2011 4:02 pm - 11 Comments
• 

  Government’s transport funding plans just silly - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  A while ago the Herald wrote an editorial about the Government’s transport plans for Auckland. They observed that if you define insanity as doing the same thing again and again while expecting a different outcome, then the Government’s transport policies are insane. While I was reading the Government Policy Statement on Transport Funding last week [...] read more
  May 15, 2011 8:44 am - 13 Comments
• 

  Flash mob for CBD rail loop - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The Budget is fast approaching and so far the government has shown no sign that they will fund the CBD rail loop. In fact, their latest Government Policy Statement on transport funding shows that over the next 10 years they’re planning to spend $7 on roads for every $1 they spend on sustainable transport options [...] read more
  May 10, 2011 1:00 pm - 19 Comments
• 

  Rail petition makes tracks to Beehive - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  As a Gissy-boy and rail-fan I passionately believe that we can’t afford to lose this community asset and we need to stand up to protect it. Kiwirail has announced the lines possible closure in 2012 if further customers can’t be found. The Government has given Kiwirail ten years to ‘turn itself around,’ but Kiwirail is [...] read more
  May 5, 2011 5:09 pm - 5 Comments
• 

  Visions of Christchurch: My Public Forum Series - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  For the first few weeks, it was shovelling.  Then it was door-knocking.  Then it was fund-raising to buy food and deliver it to welfare centres, attending memorial services, participating in MP briefings, and travelling into the suburbs and Lyttelton for meetings with Green members and others. Now it is time to refocus and plan for [...] read more
  April 29, 2011 3:57 pm - 3 Comments
• 

  Fuel tax deferral won’t help - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Kiwis are feeling the pain at the pump, and the Government’s grand “solution” is to defer a 1.5c increase in the petrol tax until next year. Let’s put this in perspective. 1.5 cents a litre will save the average driver less than $1 when they fill up their tank. It’s about 0.6% of the total [...] read more
  April 27, 2011 3:42 pm - 24 Comments
• 

  Council rail-roaded into supporting roads - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I attended the extraordinary Wellington City Council meeting that voted last night to support the Government’s $2.4 billion roading plans. Essentially the Council has written a blank cheque to the NZTA. It is preposterous that the Council could vote on a project when no one, not even the council officers, has seen the final plans. [...] read more
  April 21, 2011 12:01 pm - 34 Comments
• 

  Paying for CBD rail and Christchurch - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Lately I’ve had quite a few people ask me whether it’s realistic to continue pushing for the government to fund the CBD rail loop in the after-math of the Christchurch earthquake. I can understand what they’re thinking. After all, the CBD rail loop is an expensive project and the reconstruction of Christchurch will also cost [...] read more
  April 13, 2011 11:05 am - 1 Comment
• 

  Tunnel or bridge? Either must prioritise rail - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  New research just out shows the majority of Aucklanders want the new link to the North Shore to include rail. The UMR research found 79% favour the inclusion of rail. Like Jarbury, I’m not sure that another road link will be needed at all, given that oil prices are going to stay high, and traffic [...] read more
  April 4, 2011 5:45 pm - 6 Comments