Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins is at odds with the Otago Regional Council over the future of public transport.
Two regional councillors are taking issue with other remarks made by Mr Hawkins, who said the regional council’s new regional public transport plan 2021-31 lacked ambition.
That comes as Bus Users Support Group Otepoti shared its up-front view on who should operate the buses.
Mr Hawkins’ comments heated up the disagreement between the ORC and the Dunedin City Council over public transport and the city council’s push to take control of the city’s bus service.
Mr Hawkins took to Facebook to express his distaste at the regional council’s new transport plan, which was signed off this week.
He was particularly concerned it signalled the "popular" $2 flat-fare trial would be scrapped in August "because it's costing them more than expected and they need a new structure that brings in more revenue".
The trial was scheduled to be reviewed in August, but no decision "whatsoever" had been made, Cr Deaker said.
"We may decide to keep doing it."
Mr Hawkins said the city council had committed significant funding over the next 10 years to change how people moved in and out of the city centre and encourage public or active transport use.
"This work won't live up to its potential unless the other players — particularly the regional council and Waka Kotahi [NZ Transport Agency] — also invest in the outcomes.
"The lack of ambition we're seeing from both of them right now is not good enough."
Mr Hawkins was also concerned that while the regional council’s plan allowed for trials of new bus services, it was not planning on doing that until at least 2024.
"That means no express services to Mosgiel or Port Chalmers. No inner-city loop bus. No weekend services to Waitati or Waikouaiti.
"Strangely, the only thing the regional council seem genuinely committed to around the bus service is maintaining complete control over it.
"Our people, and our planet, deserve better," he said.
But Cr Deaker again said the latter comments were not true.
The Mosgiel and weekend Palmerston bus services were scheduled to start next January.
"Mr Hawkins’ post emphasises the importance of the two councils working together."
Cr Deaker added he found it "odd" the city council still retained $6 all-day parking in the city centre, when, before Covid-19, Queenstown had proved that increasing parking cost could rapidly increase bus patronage.
While Cr Alexa Forbes disagreed with much of what Mr Hawkins had to say, she shared his concern about a lack of funding for transport.
That funding sat within the long-term plans of the regional and city council and NZTA, she said.
"All of these partners have to come together — and there is nothing [in the plan] disabling that.
"I would love to see far more commitment to public transport and active transport."
It would take all partners to "put their money where their mouth was" and that "hasn’t happened yet", she said.
Cr Forbes added it was important to understand the plan was an "enabling plan".
"It does not prescribe what we do over the next 10 years, but enables things, like service trials, like retaining the $2 flat-fare trial," she said.
Bus Users Support Group Otepoti was more direct about its stance
on the matter.
"The Dunedin City Council and Mayor Aaron Hawkins need to concentrate on their own responsibilities regarding public transport, namely providing safe and accessible bus stops," a post on its Facebook page said yesterday.
"Then they can criticise the regional council from a position of some moral authority."
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Comments
Hawkins is obsessed with busses. I didn't vote for him in the last elections because I felt he would make a poor leader and because he was standing for the wrong council. If he wants a bigger say on how busses are run he needs to be on the council that actually operates them or campaign for a super city. That said I find his ideas on public transport rather disappointing and will have little effect on emission reduction goals. I think in the future we will see central government playing a much bigger part in regional and public transport operations.
When will Hawkins realise he is pushing his own agenda against the wishes of the people of Dunedin i..e. those who pay him. He really needs to get in touch with reality and get a job where he can't damage the future of the city.
You know the wishes of the people of Dunedin?
Yep, you only have to keep your ears and If not, you mustn't be keeping up with events.eyes open. Maybe not all the people, but the majority. Haven't you picked that up?
You do I suppose.......
A city of 130,000 spread over 3,300 square kilometers and Hawkins et al are aiming for "change how people moved in and out of the city centre and encourage public or active transport use."
It doesn't matter how noble they believe their intentions are, their efforts with our money and our city will make zero difference on a global scale.
We live in a sparsely populated part of the world and mobility is one of our greatest strengths that sustains our lifestyle and wealth.
The technologies for lower emissions transport are starting to get to market but their final form is still unclear.
If the DCC wanted to realistically reduce the cities emissions it would focus on the methane our sewage and landfills produce. It would support the insulation and upgrade the heating systems of all our dismal housing stock not just rental as central government has done.
Then there is the neglected energy rotting, not just in our city forests but all around us. Hillsides growing Grose that could be growing trees for timber or energy.
There are so many initiatives that the DCC could actually achieve results with but their focus is unidimensional.
Thank you Mr. Hawkins for proving the the DCC are anti-car.
"Our people, and our planet, deserve better," he said" funny you don't say that about drainage, roading (that those buses travel on) etc around the town.
"Strangely, the only thing the regional council seem genuinely committed to around the bus service is maintaining complete control over it" "Strangely, the only thing hawkins seems genuinely committed to around travel is doing away with car parking and making it as difficult as possible for those who need a vehicle (sick, infirm, elderly, tradesmen, business etc) to be able to use that vehicle.
Also ignores the fact he is happy to scrounge lifts!
It is high time the Dunedin Public Transport system was transferred to DCC. DCC manage the city roading network and common sense would place the management of transport with them. ORC, apart from prema donna politicians does not have transport management skills as demonstrated by the bus hub construction problems and their failure to turn on the CTV cameras. Many of the buses are empty for most of the time and poorly designed service routes and bus frequencies have created a service not fit for purpose. Hand over our buses to DCC who at least see there is problem.
So far DCC has only proven that they couldn't organise a booze up at Speights. If Hawkins had his way the public transport system would be done with rickshaws.
Hawkins is blinded by ideology.
Which is at variance with your's.
And with anyone's who has a shred of common sense and a grasp of reality.
Around here, car dependency equals common sense. In case you haven't noticed.
But not with yours, you are backing the wrong horse eh.
It is really quite amazing to watch Mr Hawkins decend further into his myopic world. His self admitted fear of driving has evolved into some form of hatred of cars and personal transport.
Many millions need to be spent repairing old infrastructure. but the available money is being squandered by planners and councilors who are simply reckless with other peoples money.
There are some sad realities for Mr Hawkins and the council planners. Dunedin will never be flat. Dunedin will never be a cycling mecca. Grannies will never be riding from Maori Hill to the city to buy their weekly groceries.
How about council and planner stop working their wish list and start delivering what Dunedin needs rather that what you want.