Can ORC be persuaded to release local public transport to DCC?
THE prospect of the Dunedin City Council being able to take control of the city's public transport from the Otago Regional Council is good news. However, having seen the headline on Tuesday (ODT, 16.8.22), ‘‘Mayor: invest more in buses’’ can I please ask for a rethink of public transport as a coordinated whole, rather than taking a reflexive ‘‘more of what we have now’’ approach? Buses are not the only answer.
Routes are mentioned in the article, but how about factoring in things like: rightsizing transport solutions to match route needs, the prospect of coordination between councils, that things like cable cars, the existing rail lines and ferries might have a role given Dunedin's geography, and the impact of new technology — battery or hydrogen decarbonisation, driverless vehicles, and all the rest. If the ORC can be persuaded to release local public transport to the DCC, it looks like a blank slate opportunity: please don’t waste it.
David Cohen Kew
Popotunua School
THE photo in the ‘‘100 Years ago’’ (ODT, 15.8.22) named ‘‘Pupils of Popotunua School’’ has been incorrectly labelled. Popotunua is not in the Catlins district; it is in the Clydevale district. The Popotunua School was part of an amalgamation of eight (eventually 11) small country schools to form Clutha Valley District High School, opening in 1939 with a roll of 140, eventually peaking at 316 — over 90% travelling by bus.
The amalgamation was a brilliant concept; better, wider and further education was available to the whole district and the social advantage extended beyond the students to the total population of the catchment area of around 1200sq km. The secondary department closed in 1967 and the school now has a roll of about 120.
R. Simmers
Kenmure
Ian Foster
I AM sick and tired of parts of the media rubbishing Ian Foster. My knowledge of Mr Foster is what I see on television. A week ago Foster said he thought his team was ready. They then went on to win, and win well at Johannesburg, where teams always struggle because of the height above sea level. Does he get his deserved congratulations? No. They say it is doubtful if that will save his job.
Give credit where credit is due. The team look very happy with their coach, so leave him alone and let him get on with the success that’s coming his way — nobody wins them all. Just ask our champion cricket team about the third twenty20 in the West Indies.
J.H. McKenzie Oamaru ...................................
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. — Isaiah 7.14.