Bus policies

Re Bus users getting rough ride (Editorial, Sept 14). Well, yes. It all seems linked to the flawed policies highlighted by the 2013 Spine Study. Project objectives were dumbed-down (‘‘BRT creep’’), presumably to save money. The chosen option did not meet an international standard and could not have delivered. Luckily, it wasn’t built.

A likely underlying problem is too much attention to cost-cutting and not enough to attracting passengers. Many of the new routes introduced next year will remain under-used, and costly because of difficult driver shifts.

Some 35 bus routes are proposed in the Wellington City Council area, half of them peakonly and some with as few as six trips each weekday. Why?

Another 260 school-bus trips are proposed, region-wide. Most are urban, so why are ordinary services unsatisfactory?

Some passengers will have to change at new ‘‘hubs’’ but new route data show no attempt at ‘‘pulsed’’ timetables to minimise connection times. Users can expect long waits after missed connections. Hubs at Johnsonville and Kilbirnie are designed to save money by retaining passengerunfriendly layouts.

This is in stark contrast with excellent new hubs in Auckland and Christchurch. Perhaps Greater Wellington Regional Council should see how it is done? KERRY WOOD Wellington