Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Travelling Gravely

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  • Tom Semmens,

    Just drive your own car to the (Auckland) airport and use one of the long term carpark outfits. It works out to about $24.00 a day.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    a virtual train - a bus with dedicated road space and a reliable schedule

    that's what the corridor plan is thinking.

    not particularly green. but... at least the laneway could be converted over to light rail.

    mind you, it's likely to be more costly. the current airport-city bus is twice as expensive as other buses travelling near the same route.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    At the risk of taking things in an entirely different direction - what the hell was Graham Henry thinking when he said this about police investigation of the English rugby team:

    You don't want any sporting team to be going through those situations.

    "You live in that sort of life yourselves – in the international sporting environment. I think you've got a lot of sympathy for people who go through that situation.

    "Certainly you just like to be supportive."

    Full story here.

    I'd've thought it best say nothing, they're allegations only at present, but this comment invites the obvious criticism that he should reserve his sympathy for the victim(s) surely?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    So if you visit regularly to the Garden City (currently foggy) gat a metro card.

    It's all sunny as far as I can see!

    The Christchurch public transport system is pretty damn impressive, though. They could do with a few more buses on circular routes, and an easier way to get to the airport than catching the bus into town and out again, but overall it works pretty well. And it's miles cheaper than anywhere else, too.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Che - I heard something about development plans for my beloved Newtown, any truth to that?

    There's a pub I'ld bowl over but really love the renewal that's happened there.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Kennedy,

    it's all cars round here, mate.

    Back in the day during one of the many “bypass consultations”, I made a short submission to WCC on creating a Wellington Airport Downtown Arrivals /Departures lounge on the waterfront (next to the railway station from memory), using Hovercraft to move people to and from the boarding area at the airport proper. – I must have had a planes trains and boats thing going.
    It never went anywhere. surprise surprise

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Part of the payment for public transport comes from parking tickets.

    I'm really pissed that they're giving money back.

    This parking on the grass & footpath is ugly & blocks the path for pedestrians & wheelchairs - I want them towed not ticketed.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    I heard something about development plans for my beloved Newtown, any truth to that?

    my reading is cursory (planning to do some research over the weekend), but it looks like they want residental intensification around the newtown area.

    but... the aren't willing to substantial improve the quality or type of public transport available. instead they just want more diesel buses and better parking for private transport.

    my argument that surely trolleys (which are greener, and more quiet) would be better wasn't flying.

    the entire plan seems to be a dogs breakfast. the planners at the council need to sort their shit out.

    i'm planning a series of outraged blogs. hopefully i can hook into the blog swarm poneke and stephen judd seem to be getting closer to.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    the blog swarm poneke and stephen judd seem to be getting closer to.

    Yes, behold my, er, stinging contribution.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    Yes, behold my, er, stinging contribution.

    i'm planning to pirate your ideas and build on them.

    one of the city's main concerns is short-term parking for shoppers. which is an issue captured by commercial rate-payers.

    but these people are idiots. they're premising their ability to attract shoppers on parking, which is premised on shoppers noticing their business as they drive past at 50km/hr.

    seriously... wtf?

    but, if they're premising their shoppers on foot traffic, then how they get into the city shouldn't matter. good public transport is as effective as paying through the nose for parking!

    </saving remainder of outraged incomprehension for public submission>

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Part of the payment for public transport comes from parking tickets.

    That's a cool idea. I wonder what the parking fine income from the various Auckland councils would do for improving public transport.

    I'm really pissed that they're giving money back.

    Did you see the silly bint quoted in the Herald, who said that if she got one fine she wouldn't want the money back, but if it was two or three she thought it should be returned? I mean, really, isn't the definition of insanity doing the exact same thing over and over and expecting a different result?
    If you park again in a place where you've been fined before for parking there, shouldn't the resultant fine be a mandatory stupidity tax?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Yes Che, that's why the most desireable retail in Wellington is on Lambton Quay where shoppers stop and park at the roadside on the spur of the moment, and why the Cuba/Manners malls are devoid of retailers. And you know in Christchurch those pedestrian only areas in the CBD are complete retail dead zones. The empirical evidence abounds.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    but these people are idiots. they're premising their ability to attract shoppers on parking, which is premised on shoppers noticing their business as they drive past at 50km/hr.

    This boggles me. We had a couple of local businessmen bitching in the paper the other day about the council's plan to remove two parking spaces (count 'em, two) to put in a bus stop. They seemed to think that their business was contingent on people being able to park right outside their shop. Obviously there's some flaw in my 'more people on one bus than in two cars' theory that I can't see.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    but, if they're premising their shoppers on foot traffic, then how they get into the city shouldn't matter. good public transport is as effective as paying through the nose for parking!

    Depends on what they're buying. Around the corner (quite literally) from my home is a small strip of shops. They've historically been antiques retailers (the Market Rd/Great South Rd shops, for those familiar with the area), though recently there's been an up-swing in food outlets. The council wanted to remove all the parks outside the shops, to allow for a bus expressway. The retailers, understandably, objected. Antiques aren't something one carries home on the bus. I'm not sure of the final outcome, which I believe still hasn't been decided, but the point is that there are certainly some types of retailer who absolutely require that their customers be able to get moderately convenient access by motorcar. Either that or they start doing home deliveries of small lamps and other items.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Them's fightin' words.

    And I say bring it on bitches. Sorry, folks, I'm slightly to the right of Ghenghis Kahn (as the saying goes) but when it becomes "political correctness gone mad" to assert the rule of law, and the wet pussy notion that you don't assert the sanctity of human life with state-sanctioned murder, mutilation and torture...

    Well, I'll say to Mr Yates it's not only "left-ish leaning demi-liberals" who are paying frequent visits to the Head-Smacking Wall nowadays.

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

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Christchurch has done a couple of things wrong.

    That bloody tram is a tourist feature, and there is a mind set that tourist have money = build for tourists.
    They're extending the tram (to nowhere).
    The touristy city tram in Melbourne is free this one is over $14 & goes nowhere. There is a free bus that's handy.
    Key point - the money is in locals & tourist will follow.

    What's his name who took on the IRD & then made a movie about himself (shrinking violet), developed SOL & did it backwards by building puds first - should have been accomodation first & it would have limited the pub developments/noise etc (& his profit). When he did build the accomodation he didn't use double glazing & so the noise & cold come right inside.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • linger,

    Emma-- if it's just about getting customers to a business, then of course, you're absolutely right. But might it be possible that some businesses require some parking space close at hand for delivery vehicles?

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Kennedy,

    I'm slightly to the right of Ghenghis Kahn

    Is that Oliver's brother - Football on my mind

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 225 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    Depends on what they're buying. Around the corner (quite literally) from my home is a small strip of shops. They've historically been antiques retailers (the Market Rd/Great South Rd shops, for those familiar with the area), though recently there's been an up-swing in food outlets. The council wanted to remove all the parks outside the shops, to allow for a bus expressway. The retailers, understandably, objected. Antiques aren't something one carries home on the bus. I'm not sure of the final outcome, which I believe still hasn't been decided, but the point is that there are certainly some types of retailer who absolutely require that their customers be able to get moderately convenient access by motorcar. Either that or they start doing home deliveries of small lamps and other items.

    The sporadic interruption of bus lanes with short areas of parking out the front of shops (sometimes as few as 3-5 spaces) annoys me no end. They dramatically reduce the utility of said bus lanes. Without knowing the shops in question ... can't they have customer parking 'round the back? Why does it have to be out the front?

    Sometimes on an idle afternoon I count the number of cars my bus passes during a short burst down the bus lane. Then the number of cars that pass us as we (a) complete a stop, and (b) try to get back into the main lane of traffic as the bus lane has ended to allow for three cars to park out the front of a dairy. Unfortunately the two totals are often very similar - e.g., pass 23 cars; later passed by 18 of them.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    'Travelling Gravely' - droll, Russell, very droll. Still, judging by the description of the heinous traffic in Auckland it really does seem like a case of "strange are the roads I've travelled in my time". I trust you then unwound in Wellington with some "sweet, sweet, wicked wine". ;)

    But I digress...anyway, crime: well, the rhetoric from the "hang 'em high" crowd is just gonna increase over the next few months and, sure as eggs, the politicians of all colours will have to pretend to take them seriously, for fear of being seen as "soft on crime".

    Did anyone else watch that doco on TV3 last night about gangs? It didn't tell anyone anything terribly new, but it was a joke that all the gang leaders denied any interest in drugs, spinning a "we're here to support the community" line crap.

    traffic: traffic jams are almost non-existent here in Dunners. The airport shuttle is $15 - $20.

    Dunedin meet-up: if you haven't already gotten in touch, whether you live in Dndn or elsewhere on the mainland, feel free to come along. E-mail me for the details.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • Dinah Dunavan,

    I took a shuttle several years ago from a Dunedin suburb to the airport. Fortunately for me Dunedin is a very small airport and I had no checked bags. Ansett agreed, when I rang them from home while waiting for the shuttle to pick me up, that they'd take me if I got to the airport before the actual take-off time. I did, with about 1 minute to spare. That was despite the shuttle driver's best attempt to take me on a scenic tour of the Taieri. I can't believe I still paid!

    Next time I needed to get to the airport I called a taxi the night before. I explained that I had a plane to catch and had to be at the aiport at a certain time in the early morning. All was agreed, I believed. On calling the company in the morning to find out why the cab hadn't shown up at the agreed time I was told that simply calling and booking a cab the night before was no guarantee that one would be there. I think if I'd called the taxi company half an hour before I wanted them I'd have had better luck. The driver said the best bet is to get to know a driver and call them personally.

    Now we always drive and park or find a friend who is willing to do the honours.

    Dunedin • Since Jun 2008 • 186 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Stephen - I must contest that we have reached Peak Lycra!

    The boy racers of the cycling world need to curb their ways, be a little curtious and stop shaving their legs (unless you like that sort of thing).

    The way to get your average person on a bike is to make it a pleasant, safe and non competitive.

    Features like making the traffic lights move in time with cyclists 15-18kms, so that cyclists have a continuous stream of traffic & the cars are in a stop/start motion. Having a physically seperate path to follow, Melbourne has just run through this programme.

    In short you can be a wanker..er boy racer in a car (& they're mostly over 40yrs) or on a bicycle. Most people aren't, most people are just travelling through.

    The answer to cars is free flowing cyclists & regular public transport.

    What's more our roads aren't made for racing tires and you'll get punctures once a week.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Nick D'Angelo,

    Talkback callers would be starved and frozen in antarctic concentration camps. Provided with no food or adequate shelter, but a computer and telephone so that they broadcast and blog the story of their slow and painful death. Pour encourager les autres

    Sorry, I don't speak French so I missed that bit.

    What is PAS but online talkback? There are a host of blog forums just as fascist as talkback radio, so why not deal to them too?

    I don't get why people hate talkback radio so much. If you don't like the calls either switch off or start your own station (as Air America did). At least on Talkback they limit the callers to one call per day, unlike PAS where we get [insert name of commenter who always disagrees with you the most] all the blardy time.

    We had a couple of local businessmen bitching in the paper the other day about the council's plan to remove two parking spaces (count 'em, two) to put in a bus stop. They seemed to think that their business was contingent on people being able to park right outside their shop.

    Ditto for Auckland's High Street retaillers. Hence no widened footpaths, but plenty of 10 minutes parks. Makes no sense ...

    there are certainly some types of retailer who absolutely require that their customers be able to get moderately convenient access by motorcar.

    so they should rent premises with that access, not expect ratepayers to provide it for them out front. One has no rights to the roadway out front, that's why we build garages, or park down the road cos those bastard renters next door got home before us ...

    Simon Laan • Since May 2008 • 162 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Emma-- if it's just about getting customers to a business, then of course, you're absolutely right. But might it be possible that some businesses require some parking space close at hand for delivery vehicles?

    The guys were definitely talking about customers, not deliveries. And their business was a gents' hairdresser of the type lovingly patronised by Dr Haywood. They're on Riccarton Rd, which ironically most Christchurchians avoid like the plague if they can, because of the traffic.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Che Tibby,

    Antiques aren't something one carries home on the bus. I'm not sure of the final outcome, which I believe still hasn't been decided, but the point is that there are certainly some types of retailer who absolutely require that their customers be able to get moderately convenient access by motorcar.

    i didn't say you shouldn't have parking nearby, or loading zones. but no store owner has exclusive rights to the public carriageway outside their shop.

    if you're dependent of people buying large or delicate objects, then have one of your staff help them get it to the person's vehicle. that way you get to sell object and service, which is a guaranteed return customer.

    frankly, i'd rather see a carriageway dedicated to getting more people into the city, as opposed to convenience for a much smaller number of potential shoppers. ie. more, is good

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report Reply

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