This blog really seems to have taken off in the last few weeks, especially in terms of people making comments – which is great as I really enjoy replying to them and fine-tuning aspects of what I’ve said in my original post.
I am quite bursting with ideas for blog posts at the moment, but I thought it would be worthwhile asking what the readers of this blog are interested in finding out more about. So a few questions from me to you:
- Is there anything in particular that you would like me to blog about?
- Do you think I get too political? Should I be more politically neutral in my blog, or continue to go for Steven Joyce by the jugular?
- Am I focusing too much on trains compared to buses, or buses compared to trains?
- Are the posts too long, too short or just about right?
- Do you think some static “pages” outlining information on important transport projects would be a good idea?
- Any other suggestions…
A few ideas for posts I have at the moment include a discussion on the Onehunga Line, as ARTA want me to provide them with some feedback next Tuesday evening at a community consultation meeting. I hope to have my thoughts together by then on the issue. Another idea is to do a really meaty analysis of time-savings benefits, and why I think they’re stupid. And another is to do a bit of a general “here are the transport projects I think Auckland needs in the next 5,10, 20 and 30 years” post.
I look forward to the feedback! Don’t be shy.
I don’t have a problem with the political nature of criticism – but you should continue to criticise Joyce on particular actions and policies – we don’t want this becoming The Standard
I really like the pictures. They make the blog work for me. You obviously back them up with considered text, but the diagrams, graphs and photos are all valuable.
You might also look more at walking, cycling, and other non-bus and non-train forms of transport that get left out in Auckland’s mix.
Re 5., it might be worth bundling content on specific projects, especially as this site becomes more of a go-to for people.
Otherwise, everything else is pretty good from where I stand.
When it comes to Auckland’s PT, it’s hard not to be political. The worst report card Mr Joyce can get is a google search of ‘Auckland Public Transport’. Apart from the usual suspects (ARTA, MAXX, etc), you start to see results of blogs and flames – disgruntled citizens wanting a better PT! Now, imagine how many people will enter those terms when looking for their transport options come RWC time? We have always had the same plans all along, but for at least 30-40 years, we have had to fight for electrification, for opening up the rail corridors, integrated ticketing, and so on. Why do we have to be years behind other major cities? These are the questions – unfortunately, very political – to be answered by our current and future governments.
I admire that we have -do- citizens in our fair city that are standing up and willing to put their ideas and criticisms of our PT into out into the open. I chuckle whilst listening to passengers complain on platforms about delays, faults and cancellations – we live in a democratic system where if they want change, they need to ask for it – not expect it to just happen. Keep up your ranting or raving, someone is listening!
One of the big issues over the next while will be how the future Regional Transport Authority will be structured. That will be laid out in the next piece of legislation that is related to the Super City. Hopefully the RTA won’t get lost in everything, and its formation can be a good opportunity to push for them to have more power over what happens in Auckland – in particular a push towards the one pool of funds for all transport projects that I have proposed here: http://transportblog.co.nz/2009/08/02/the-transport-funding-farce-and-how-to-fix-it/
Hmmm… sorry kinda thinking aloud here. Thanks for the feedback – yeah I agree it’s impossible not to get political.
The blog’s a pleasure to read: it’s rational, informed, well-researched and written and passionate. If it didn’t have a certain ideological flavour it wouldn’t be half as enjoyable; much as I find the CBT forum interesting, the reactionary stances of a couple of its contributors comes across as puerile and annoying.
Something on walking would be good. In terms of decent walking routes Auckland is worse than London! OK, London has its canals and the extraordinary London Loop (London Outer Orbital Pathway) but we have the scenery but limited access. For example, I can’t understand how the ARC can, by default, justify restricting access to much of the Waitakeres to private cars. Oh and keep at it with Joyce; somewhere along the line National might recognise what a liability he is – although, given present form it looks as if the electorate will have to do the deed first – but until then all we can do is keep on agitating.
Fair enough…. pedestrianising Queen Street sounds like a good idea to me
I’d like to echo George D comments.
There is no point in trying to be politically neutral – you have to blog what you believe. The focus is fine as far as I am concerned, and the emphasis on different topics will change over time I’m sure.
As a commuter who in a week will often use a car, bike and train (on different days) I think that it is great that there is a voice out there with a focus on transport.
Keep up the good work.
1. Go for the jugular I say. As you pointed out recently, Labour was just as hopeless in the end on transport. Support the party with the best/well thought out policies.
2. Walking/cycling/active transport please. Bikes on buses/trains. Pedestrianisation/speed reduction to make the city more livable/pleasant/safer.
3. Bit too long and technical for me. I like the visuals though…most effective.
Keep up the good work!
Think the 5, 10, 15 year requirements would make an interesting post as it will show what needs to happen in order to get things like the airport line for rail up and running. A lot of projects are interdependent.
As far as being political goes, keep giving Joyce both barrels, but grounded in policy rather than party. If someone is advocating for a set of policies rather than being one-eyed in favour of a party their opinions are generally more accepted.
I enjoy the blog and the (generally light) political nature adds to the flavour…
What do I want blogged about..? A good mix of all PT; walking, cycling, bus, train and ferry… Also possible other future forms such as trolley-buses and light rail…
You have to keep going after Joyce it is this simple:
- Joyce was placed on the National list at 16 assuring him a place in parliament.
- As campaign manager for the last two elections he co-ordinated funding so every one who made a large donation has his name at the top of the list.
- He didn’t even stand for a safe Labour seat which would have exposed him to scrutiny by the public.
- He immeaditely got given a place in Cabinet and two-three important ministerial portfolios, essentially to reward those who helped out all those who helped National during the last 9 years.
So what does this mean..? He basically wasn’t elected, he is rewarding those who helped his party not doing what is best for the country, some of the decisions he will make from his unearned and (basically) unelected office to help the road lobby will cost people their lives through the road toll or when these larger trucks run people off the road… That is corruption…
Keep up the good work…
I think I’ll come along to that Onehunga line meeting next Tuesday so if you could post before then it’d be good…
So what does this mean..? He basically wasn’t elected
Aw that isn’t fair. There is nothing new in NZ politics about putting an inside man in safe seat and pushing him into Parliament.
Getting to be an instant minister, when he has held no comparable experience elsewhere, is however not something I can remember happening (in my lifetime) and is a big problem.
1. As George D has stated this is now one of my ‘go-to’ blogs. It’s wonderful having this breath of sanity after reading about the inane actions of S(tupid) Joyce, the Auckland chamber of commerce, and the National party!
2. No, go for his nuts, that’s if he has any! S(tupid) Joyce needs more political and public castration!
3. Trains, LTR, and trams are HOT! ha,ha,ha! Maybe a bit more information on ferries – like this months free ferries to/from the Shore. Cycling is cool, but difficult when you need to get your 6 year old to school and have your 3 year old with you. But apart from that I still love cycling!
4. As Oliver put it… “Please, sir, I want some more.”
5. Na, I like it the way it is!
6. Been thinking about an LTR along Greenlane and Balmoral Roads – east/west. Intersect with your Dominion Road Line.
More comment on how Waitakere city has most of its town centres integrated with PT, and how the best examples of TOD’s are from this region. More emphasis can also be placed on the 1960′s land use policies still being largely followed by our local authorities and how they are short cited, auto-biased, environmentally and economically destructive.
Putting together a post on the Onehunga Line at the moment, it should probably be ready to go by tomorrow!
Anyone else noticed on the MAXX website a link to http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum.
^^ Yup it’s been there for most of the history of the better transport forum. That’s how I found the place.
You and Jon @ aucklandtrains.co.nz are doing a brilliant job keeping us informed and putting the pressure on getting us better public transport and all the hard work in your own time unpaid so thanks. I hope when we finally get things like electric trains the authorities will acknowledge what a job you guys have done. We are better served now by knowing whats going on and being able to talk about it.
That’s good to know Jedi. I do think that there’s a huge benefit in just making people more aware of what’s going on, crunching through some big and ugly policy documents to find the few important bits, and also doing a few posts – like my one on the Northwest Busway – to give people ideas about what other public transport projects could be possible.
I don’t comment often but this place is one of my regular reads and to be honest I agree with a lot of what you say.
I think the level of politicisation (sp?) is about right as its hard to avoid when you’ve got such a pro-road minister as Steven Joyce. However I also feel that Labour certainly cannot point the finger at Joyce as they were just as bad.
I’d like to see more things regarding cycling, but then again thats because I ride more than I use public transport these days.
Heres my sugestions:
1) You could blog about more issues. It is almost 100% on public transport issues (with the exception of Waterview tunnel criticism). I would sugest a blog post on the pros and cons of a comercial airport at Whenuapai. And maybe the Pennlink connection to Whangaparoa Peninsuila.
2) No I don’t think your too political. And while you do criticise Seteven Joyce a lot, it is not one sided (you did talk about Darren Hughes and Labours weaknesses, and say in coments that National could potentially be good for PT if they reallocate the way the money is spent) it is mostly fair. And this is froma strong Nastional party supporter. One of the things I really like about your blog is that you are not a one eyed public transport supporter, and do (like me) see a use for roads, and supported the Victoria park tunnel.
3)Too much on trains and not enough on buses. The vast bulk of PT use of Auckland is by buses, and it is likely to stay that way for the forseeable future. Secondly, with only 12% of Aucklanders working in the CBD, and 2/3rds outside any employment hubs, Auckland is unlikely to ever become a train city like Wellington (sorry to disapoint you). It is also much cheaper to add a few bus lanes to existing roads than build a whole new railway lane, so with the possible exception of the CBD rail tunnel, building more bus lanes is likely to be where we will get the most bang for our buck with a tight budget.
4. About right. But thats because I have a fair bit of time on my hands. I really like the maps and graphics you always add to your posts. This makes it really easy to follow for someone who is quite unfamillar with Auckland, and means I won’t have to spend time looking at google maps.
5. Yes. Perhaps a map showing existing PT services in Auckland (railways, bus lanes e.t.c) and list of those under construction (with completion dates), planned for construction e.t.c). This is not most important, and just a extra bonus.
AND one BIG sugestion. Turn it from the Auckland transport blog to NZ transport blog, and blog some non-Auckland posts (about Wellington and Christchurch e.t.c). You did mention your lack of knowledge in a coment when I previously sugested this issue. Obviously the vast bulk of posts will be on Auckland, as that is the biggest city, and very few cities other than Wellington and Christchurch are big enough to justify PT infrastructure (and Auckland is fast growing, requiring more infrastructure to be built). I will be more than happy to do a few guest posts on Wellington issues, which I follow quite closely.
1 – walking. Anything really. It is neglected. For instance I live in Parnell and walk to the city to work. The numbers of pedestrians on the main route has increased remarkably in the past few years, but there is constant tension over the fact that they are rendered invisible, marginal, and despised by the aggressive behaviour of drivers.
2 – given that transport, whether it is either public or private is inherently political (as demonstrated very plainly by Steve Joyce) you really could not *help* being political every time you write about transport. So don’t worry and go for the jugular when necessary, but remember to praise where possible. Steve Joyce is a crap Transport minister and a middling ITC minister, so I’d praise him on the ITC stuff.
3 – you could perhaps write, every once in a while, from a perspective of people needing to move from A to B for whatever reason, and what’s the options, as a way of escaping the ‘done trains yesterday, buses today, cars tomorrow’ rut….
4 – your posts are comprehensive, staggeringly so – I’ve no idea where you get the energy from… and I REALLY like your visuals – clever and to the point. It would good if you could break up the paragraphs a little more, and perhaps use bullet points sometimes? But you write reasonably well anyway so even if you did nothing it would still good.
5- Yes – that would be a good idea. I think that a number of tertiary students check your blog, so having somewhere that provides that important context for various things is a good tool to have.
I would like to see something/more detail about successful PT initiatives from other places. Maybe a series of blogs, each giving an overview of PT in another city.
I do think that it would be a good idea to give some insight into what overseas cities are doing. I know that Vancouver is opening the Canada Line this month, which is a pretty massive piece of transport infrastructure.