North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Is light rail needed on the North Shore?
NEIGHBOURLY DISCUSSION
The number of people using the Northern busway in the past year has just hit five million, and North Shore ward councillor Chris Darby says plans to convert the busway to light rail need to be brought forward to keep up with commuter demands.
DO YOU WANT LIGHT RAIL ON THE SHORE?
Toni East from Sunnynook: I don’t care whether it’s bus or rail. I simply want a fast way to get to work. I have this now with the Northern Busway but understand capacity will max out in a few years. Whatever is decided, what we need is decent car parking at these transport hubs!
Hugh Cronwright from Browns Bay: Really do not see what benefit it is to dump the express bus service into the city, and instead put in tram lines on that same route. How does this help anyone at all? Total waste of money! Can anyone explain the logic of this? To gain more passengers, AT needs to build more car parking, but they are resolute in resisting this demand. So THAT is where the stumbling block is to more bus commuters!
Amanda Ward from Pinehill: Short sighted counsellors - never thought about car parking - light rail not needed, buses could be even more efficient if we could actually park and ride - this is not possible after 7.30 as all the parks have already gone. So no thanks light rail - how about a couple of multi story car parks.
Ivan Prince from Beach Haven: What a lot of people do not seem to realise is that light rail will only follow the busway, it will not branch off to all the suburbs. Therefore you will still have to find your way to a station either by car or in a feeder bus. Much quicker just to have a good bus service directly into the city.
NEIGHBOURLY DISCUSSION
The local board is fighting vehemently to keep Browns Bay’s Anzac St car park, but Auckland mayor Phil Goff says selling the car park is a no-brainer and it’s time to move on.
SHOULD THE BROWNS BAY CAR PARK BE SOLD?
Glen Bridle from Browns Bay: With the amount of people that come to Browns Bay to use local businesses and go shopping, and with the current amount of carparking, all selling it will do is drive people away to somewhere they don’t have to drive around for 15 minutes to find a car park. Phil Goff has clearly never been to Browns Bay over the weekend on a nice day.
Lynley Hunter from Browns Bay: It is often difficult to find a park in Browns Bay - we need to keep all the ones we have. I have a lot of pain and can’t walk far. If we put more pressure on the Clyde Road parking it will make it that much more difficult for me to find a park anywhere near where I’m headed. Browns Bay has come alive over the past few years ... Let’s not destroy this by not having enough parking spaces.
Gaylene Servantie from Browns Bay: Clearly Phil Goff is ignorant to the fact that Browns Bay is a Community, made up of Community minded people who try and support local business by shopping there. Already the are rents driving some of the retailers away ... With limited lack of parking now - why would Mr Goff want to create an even bigger problem.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, suburb and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.