Councillors, front up on fiasco

There are a lot of questions that need to be asked about the fiasco that is the new transport (lack of) service:

■ Why were major operating changes made at the same time as a new operator was introduced?

■ Why did the tendering system not adequately protect pay and conditions?

■ Why did the regional council accept a tender that does not seem able to provide the major upgrade that was needed?

■ Is the tendering process suitable or necessary if the incumbent firm is meeting the criteria?

Responsibility lies with the regional council, and regional councillors must answer these questions. I am sure the ratepayers of the whole region will reflect on this when it comes to voting next year.

I hope there will be real competition for these positions so that we have a regional council that makes wellconsidered decisions.

Jan Nimmo, Waikanae

Whoever decided to extend Wellington’s bus route No 1 out to Johnsonville and beyond really should get out of their chauffeur-driven limousine and take a bus ride.

I went to town only twice last week but on each occasion I observed Island Bay-bound buses several times travelling in pairs. I topped that at 12:50 on Wednesday afternoon when there were three of them proceeding like a train along The Parade in Island Bay. Inevitably there was going to be a lengthy wait for the next bus.

Bus bunching is a wellknown effect on longer intracity routes. It can be avoided in part by shortening routes. This means that some people will have to transfer to get to their destination but generally speaking most people will be on a bus that arrives more or less on time. You can’t expect perfection as there are too many variables.

Route No 1 should be returned to its original format: Island Bay to the railway station, and buses from Churton Park, Grenada, and Johnsonville should terminate at Courtenay Place. Colin Wilson, Lower Hutt