Neighbourly chat: How to cut traffic?
The Government has flagged that motorway tolls are potentially coming to Auckland and so we put it to our Neighbourly members to see what they thought.
Our Neighbourly poll got a huge response and ‘congestion charges during peak times’ was the most popular option, edging out a ‘inner-city parking levy’ as a way to reduce congestion around Auckland.
Here’s some of the discussion:
Channon Stewart from Otahuhu:
There are people with genuine needs that require vehicles (people with disabilities, mental health issues) because they are unable to use public transport who will be disadvantaged by this. It will not affect high earners whose companies will pay for their travel and parking costs.
Michele Smith from Papatoetoe:
The government should pay up and build a decent transport system in Auckland, after all they were the ones who increased our population.
Linda Scott from Manurewa:
Personally I don’t think congestion taxes or tolls are going to reduce Auckland traffic a great deal. If people need to get to work/ school/uni and there is no other option eg a better public transport system, then they are still going to take their own vehicle.
Louise McCully from Papatoetoe:
What a useless survey when the best solution is to provide better and affordable public transport. I live a walk away from the train but in the weekend it is still cheaper and quicker to take the car to Auckland Central. I could use the train to get to work, which is 2 stops away but it’s still cheaper to drive.
Jonathan Godfrey from Mangere East:
Given that on the new public transport network, longer cross-town trips are impossible without excessive reliance on transfers, why would anyone wish to use it? Tolls on the motorways are a rather foolish suggestion - try getting from Mangere to Onehunga without using a motorway.
John Blake from Manurewa:
Thousands of people drive to the city each day and sit in front of a computer screen all day. With today’s technology why can’t they log on and work from home.
Craig Pike from Manurewa:
Promote more cycle commuting, cycling is clean, keeps you fit and reduces the number of cars on the road. I cycle commute 11km each way from Manurewa to East Tamaki as much as possible only taking the car if the weather is nasty. I don’t think we have enough bicycle lanes and cycle friendly routes in Auckland.
Trina Sola from Manurewa:
The only option for Auckland to get people out of their cars is to increase the bus services,trains are useless as they only travel along a fixed route and are unreliable.
Brian Southee from Otahuhu:
As the buses were before AT changed them, they were ok for all. Now routes changed so buses don’t go to shopping centres but detour where there are no shops and have to catch a bus to the shopping centre from the railway station. These people must think that we all shop at railway stations
Philip Baty from Clendon Park:
Increase the public transport first then have a inner CBD surcharge