The hybrid public transport user
The Taranaki Regional Council’s (TRC) public transport plans make clear its target audience is the ‘transport disadvantaged’ – anyone without access to a car.
While it makes sense to prioritise those on limited means, if passenger numbers on your service for ‘‘disadvantaged’’ people decline, is that then a good thing?
If the evidence says public transport benefits everyone, are we missing a trick by targeting it only at a small group?
IT contractor David Hill commutes from his home in Frankleigh Park to New Plymouth’s CBD for work – even though he has a car.
‘‘We prefer to leave the car in the garage when we can and use public transport, e-scooters and e-bikes.’’
He has much to say about the advantages of taking the bus.
‘‘The journey’s fast, but I like the time to ‘zone out’ on the bus – it’s a mental wellbeing boost I wouldn’t get with driving and the hassle of finding a car park.
‘‘Bus drivers provide a sense of community, waving to regulars and sometimes stopping where it’s easier for older people to get off.’’
Hill is also a fan of the Bee Card payment system that automatically tops up via credit card, and is impressed with the reliability of the Citylink service.
‘‘I’ve used the service for five years and can’t recall it ever not operating when expected.’’
As a public transport user and car owner Hill believes the TRC should be targeting car owners to start using buses.
‘‘Using public transport while owning a vehicle gives you the best of both worlds. When the weather is warmer, you can walk, bike or scooter and if the Taranaki skies turn on you, catch a bus home. In other cities, this kind of ‘mixed transport use’ is common. It’s about framing it with people’s lifestyles,’’ he says.
For example, a working parent may not want to do school pickups or groceries on the bus, but they might catch a bus home after a run on the Coastal Walkway, or to get home safely after work drinks.
Bus users have little trouble listing public transport’s many benefits: community, reliability, less stress, saving money, reducing their carbon footprint and more.
You’ve got to wonder what might happen if councils promoted these benefits more. We’ve had campaigns shouting ‘Let’s go on the bus!’ but little on why we should.