Progress on the bus hub is progress for Dunedin

Many Dunedin residents, not just public transport users, have questions about the proposed bus hub in Great King St.

For example, why was that location chosen by the Otago Regional Council? How will the buses manage to turn in and out of Great King St without causing traffic problems? Will the facility be safe, comfortable and convenient for bus users?

If you want answers to such questions, look at the reports attached to the bus hub planning process now open for consultation: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/district-plan/district-plan-chan...
Submission close on 18th August 2017

I hope Dunedin residents will keep in mind that submissions can be in support. Mine will be. As a public transport user, I have been following the public transport debate in Dunedin for over 15 years and the city has long needed a facility like this which enables transfers between all routes and provides a focus for good support infrastructure and facilities for public transport users. A transit facility will always be a work in progress as the city and user needs change. I look forward to integrated transit malls one day and not necessarily all in the central city. However, I think this proposed bus hub is an excellent beginning and I hope many submitters will give it strong support, recognizing the hard, even visionary, work of those who have brought the project so far.

This is not a resource consent application but a ‘notice of requirement’. A public authority, like the Otago Regional Council, does not have to ask permission from the Dunedin City Council regarding works affecting the DCC’s District Plan. The ‘requiring authority’ (here the ORC) can override the District Plan but they do need to take the Plan into account. The territorial authority responsible for the District Plan(the DCC) can only make recommendations. In this case, regarding the city’s District Plan, assuming the revised Plan (2GP) was operative, then it seems that very little of the hub proposal would not already be provided for.
http://www.qualityplanning.org.nz/index.php/plan-development-components/...

If you make a submission, the DCC may think it worthwhile to add your ideas to any recommendations they make to the ORC. The DCC’s decision to publicly notify this process makes it more inclusive, further involving future and potential public transport users.

Even if you don’t want to make a submission, the reports give an excellent background to the whole project, for example, which sites were considered and why the Great King St site was chosen. Anyone concerned about whether buses will be able to turn in the spaces allocated will be relieved to read that trials with full-size buses have been carried out. Similarly, those with concerns about traffic safety for bus hub users, or adverse effects on the central city traffic network can read that these issues have been taken into account by both the ORC and the DCC. It is unlikely that, when first operative, this facility will be totally trouble-free, but it seems to me that best effort has been made. Testing out the bus hub proposal seems to have been an excellent co-operative effort between the ORC and the DCC.

Some key quotes from the report
(The project as a work in progress) A description of the proposed Bus Hub is provided below. It is noted that the concept design for the Bus Hub remains preliminary. Amendments to the design, and the final design of some structures will take place prior to construction. The requiring authority will continue to work with the Dunedin City Council’s urban design and transportation officers, and adjacent landowners, in this process. (Page 6)

(The project in relation to the District Plan) Under the 2GP the proposed Bus Hub would be classified as a Passenger Transportation Hub, which is a Discretionary Activity in all zones. It is noted that the installation of up to four bus bays in road reserve would be a permitted activity. ‘Public amenities’ are defined in the Proposed 2GP as Structures and facilities established for the convenience, enjoyment, or amenity of the public’, and examples include public seating, public shelters, rubbish bins, bicycle stands, public display boards, public toilets. As such, these rules would be relevant to a proposal for a bus hub (where it is not designated). Public toilets are provided for as restricted discretionary activities in all zones, and are subject to a 3m height limit. All other public amenities comprise permitted activities in all zones, subject to compliance with the following performance standards: (….. omission) Therefore, while the bus hub is defined as a passenger transport hub which is a discretionary activity, many of the amenities proposed as part of the Bus Hub would be permitted activities, except where they encroach into the 3m width of the footpath. (page 2)

 - Diane Yeldon

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