Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: This is what we have to work with

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    Banks would do well to front up and say that he was wrong about the gays.

    He'd have to do it pretty well for me to believe he really meant it.

    Oh well then... why's he delusional particularly? More so that Banks?

    It concerns me that Banks apparently isn't the most delusional candidate in the field.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    t concerns me that Banks apparently isn't the most delusional candidate in the field.

    I am certain, but just my opinion, (and many think I'm weird), those with a vested interest in Auckland City Business inc. are quite happy with airy fairy. It allows manipulation, with influence, which Rodney's ilk are probably happy with.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    We don't generally disagree Ben, I just think the lack of extensive and permanent transport lanes is an impediment to mass use of buses

    Certainly I don't disagree with extensive transport lanes, although permanent seems overkill, and unnecessarily mean to people who want, for instance, to park on the street at night when there are no buses anyway. It also seems inefficient somewhere like the bridge, which can easily enough switch its lane usage around to fit with overall traffic flow.

    These things are all true, however if you have the choice of driving or taking public transport, I think the public transport option is best when it is also quicker.

    Best for a lot of people anyway. It's never going to be desirable to anyone who has to carry a lot of stuff, or works somewhere that's actually not in the city but they have to suffer city traffic, or uses the vehicle in their work, or works funny hours, or has some disability.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Yarbury says:

    So how could we go about making boarding times faster? Well perhaps the biggest step is underway already in terms of implementing integrated smart-card ticketing. The new tickets will not require interaction with the driver, so you’ll be able to board even while someone is stuffing around digging out the last 10 cents for their fare. Furthermore, smart-card boarding is incredibly fast. So a lot of improvements are already in the works – and I don’t think it has quite been appreciated the level of difference this will make for those catching the bus.

    All buses in the CBD of Sydney require you to have a pre-paid ticket, ten trip or single, purchased from thousands of places. It does speed things up... now I fear I'm entirely unqualified to stay any longer in this geek-zone...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    It's never going to be desirable to anyone who has to carry a lot of stuff, or works somewhere that's actually not in the city but they have to suffer city traffic, or uses the vehicle in their work, or works funny hours, or has some disability.

    Or, has to travel with a dog everyday.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Joshua Arbury,

    Cheers for the mention Sacha.

    Linking this back to the main topic of conversation, I actually think what's most important is what the mayors say about little transport issues. It's easy to say "yeah I support rail to the airport, North Shore Rail and so forth..." but generally they're not offering up the money. I would be more interested in more direct questions actually:

    1) Would you advocate strongly to government to change transport policies so that NZTA can spend money on new rail projects?

    2) Would you actively oppose the Puhoi-Wellsford road on the basis that it's using up precious money on a poorly justified project, that could be put into paying for most of the CBD rail tunnel?

    3) How much would your council contribute to building the CBD rail tunnel?

    4) What's your opinion on bus lanes vs T2 lanes vs T3 lanes?

    5) What would be your preferred solution to "the Dominion Road situation"?

    6) What would you do to improve public transport to the people of Howick/Pakuranga/Botany/Flat Bush who have utterly horrific services at the moment?

    In terms of actually trying to improve public transport in Auckland significantly in the next three years, the best bet is to actually focus on the bus system. Speeding up boarding times, extending bus lanes, introducing T2 lanes where appropriate (ie. on roads that currently don't have any priority lanes), undertaking a "forensic audit" of bus services to find out and eliminate delays... and so on. These would generate huge gains.

    Of course this is actually the kind of detailed work that the Trasnport CCO is supposed to be focusing on, rather than the politicians. But I think a good mayor is one who knows transport inside out, and can get involved in the details.

    If we think about which local politician has done the most for public transport in the last decade, the answer is clearly Mike Lee. And the reason for that is he knows the details.

    Auckland • Since May 2009 • 237 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    But I think a good mayor is one who knows transport inside out, and can get involved in the details.

    Well they better if it's basically the only issue they're campaigning on.

    I agree about the bang for buck with buses, too. We've spent all this money on roads, we might as well be using them in the best ways. It's a matter of selling to car users that more people in buses is better for them (which it certainly is), whilst still allowing the car to be an excellent option, probably the best option for even a majority. Once people can see that those kind of decisions are as much no-brainers as putting lines on the road to say which direction you can drive, then they buy into it. And the buses just start looking better and better. Once I finally clicked, my whole attitude to buses changed - I didn't see them as annoying domineering enemies any more, potential challengers for my road space. Letting the bus go first is like letting in 30 cars for the price of 2. The karma is huge.

    I'm still working on my attitude to trucks, though. And couriers can bite me.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I am certain, but just my opinion, (and many think I'm weird), those with a vested interest in Auckland City Business inc. are quite happy with airy fairy. It allows manipulation, with influence, which Rodney's ilk are probably happy with.

    No, Sofie -- the business owners I know are not happy with "airy fairy" at all. You can't run a business -- let alone do effective mid- and long-range planning or attract top drawer staff and investment -- on a diet of fairy pubes and unicorn farts. If that's all you're getting, then you've got to do the best with what you've got but that doesn't mean you have to like it.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Herald headline writer has fun: 'John Key is my mate vote for me'

    Mr Banks got a united "ooh ... " from the audience, when he hinted that he was in closer circles with Prime Minister John Key than his opponent, Mr Brown.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    No, Sofie -- the business owners I know are not happy with "airy fairy" at all.

    If they are not happy, I will say, just glad they didn't vote for Banks (or Hide) last time, as they certainly are the selfish of the bunch in this " I know John Key, vote for me" now. Not very inclusive for smaller businesses of which there are thousands. No thanks John Banks. Hmmm, familiar ring to it?
    FWIW, I think Brown is much better without a camera stuck in his face. He seems to have a good mix of business and people skills. That is inclusive without elitist value, and without air which the media tried to create with his expressive Council meeting (that exposed him of far less than the rest of them and of which is still being realised).I think his appearance on TV3 the other night showed he wasn't that comfortable in front of a camera, (neither was HC at first) so that is an area he could work on, but Campbell didn't actually do a good debate either. Campbell is confrontational, which I don't think is good chair skills, but hey, whatever.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I think his appearance on TV3 the other night showed he wasn't that comfortable in front of a camera

    Yeah, I got a distinct impression he was used to public speaking to crowds, he had the kind of gestural movements and the roving eye you get in competent podium speaker, whereas Banks was like your standard newsreader, still and direct at the camera.

    But Brown wasn't too bad either. His body didn't move around, which is common mistake, and he was trying to keep his gestures tight, seemed fond of the clenched fist. Symbol of strength I guess, I thought it was almost OTT obvious as a visual comeback to the accusation of weakness "I'M weak? Put up your dukes, little Johnny!". I expect him to get better every time he's on TV.

    He did nicely seize the initiative quite a few times in the debate to interrupt the longer Banks spiels.

    I'm seeing him as a fighter, and that's what's needed against the Banks machine. Banks is highly composed and professional, but he has got many chinks in his armor, his much more extreme past will always be exploitable, and Brown only needs a couple of little slips, angry outbursts, bad taste jokes, a careless dogwhistle, to get the run of the battle.

    Both candidates need to learn to memorize speeches too. A one minute speech only takes about ten minutes to get word perfect.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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