Bus travel can be a frustrating experience

IF the ORC is going to brag about a lovely new system, perhaps wait until you’ve provided the training to your drivers and they know what they’re doing.

Four times I’ve tried to use the free transfer at the hub. Four times I’ve had to tussle with the driver.

Yes, it’s been within the 30minute transfer time, and yes, I have my ticket from the first bus. I’ve tried every way of explaining, to both drivers, that I will be transferring and that I need a ticket to take me all the way home. Twice it has cost me 70% more than if I’d said nothing.

I ring the ORC — such lovely customer service, until you’re not happy with something and then it’s stonewall, platitudes, promises (yet to be met), and ‘‘yes, I understand how that could be frustrating’’ or ‘‘oh well, this is how it works’’.

Solution? Oh, if you go down to the ORC offices or the bus depot, they might be able to sort it out. Are you kidding? If I could get there, I wouldn’t need to be taking a bus.

Stop patting yourselves on the back and do a proper job. Train your staff — all of them.

Jess Jones

Tahuna

[Abridged. Otago Regional Council transport manager Garry Maloney replies:

‘‘Thanks for your feedback, Jess. Please email us at transport@orc. govt.nz so we can work out what your particular travel looks like and what is happening on your journey.

‘‘The transfer system is electronic and works when a passenger using a GoCard starts the next bus journey around 30 minutes after getting off the first bus. The transfer is stored and processed electronically on a GoCard and works off a schedule, rather than real time. It is not applied by a driver and cannot be used with a paper ticket or cash fare.

‘‘You don’t need to tell the driver that you are transferring, just where you are going. If the trip is within the zone you’re in, the GoCard isn’t charged.

‘‘When the Bee Card — our new tagon tagoff system — arrives, it will make transfers much simpler for the system to handle.’’]

Human impact

I CHORTLE when I read of people snivelling about the existence of trout in various lakes, rivers and streams.

What about our destructive impact, and the numbers of fourlegged and other creatures we’ve introduced, whose actions continue to degrade and deplete our lands and waters?

Around 50 years ago, David Attenborough said humans had become ‘‘a plague’’ upon this planet. Sadly, he was right.

Brian Turner

Central Otago

Gibbston concert

I WISH to express my disappointment at the coverage of the Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert.

My favourite paper let me down this time, I am sorry to say. Usually you give your readers excellent coverage on concerts and a wide variety of music and musicians.

Where was the coverage of my idol, Billy Idol? He was the headline act. There was no photograph of Billy Idol, nor any coverage on his brilliant performance.

Billy Idol is loved by many Kiwis, and Billy himself loves his New Zealand fans and loves performing here. I expected to see a leatherclad punk rocker gracing the front cover of the Otago Daily Times, only to find nothing.

We owe Billy Idol a big ‘‘rebel yell’’ for coming down Otago way.

Sonia Green

Gore

Doomsday

BRUCE Munro’s article on Doomsday preppers (Weekend Mix, 25.1.20) was interesting to read, but the gentleman who believes his silver 1kg bar is worth $50,000 would appear to be in for a shock when he cashes it in. According to the day’s silver price, at $US1840 an ounce, his bar would be worth only a few hundred dollars.

Peter Burrell

Morrinsville .....................................

BIBLE READING: Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7.