Congestion Charging in Wellington
Nothing beats a good headline - how about a proposal that Greater Wellington regional council is pushing a congestion charge for Wellington highways - with charging points at Pukerua Bay, Tawa, Melling, Petone, and Ngauranga. Report the aim is to get commuters off the road and into Public Transport by slapping them with up to $9.00 per day - about the same as using Public Transport for the same journeys.
Of course, there is one obvious problems - the story is not true.
Moving people to public transport and reducing congestion is a worthy goal with benefits for all - but there are other ways of achieving this than congestion charges. The first step is to make public transport attractive as existing services are not up to scratch.
The park and ride carparks at Waterloo are overflowing with cars (with people resorting to 'inventing' carparks or parking in nearby residential streets) and then trains are overcrowded. Most Hutt train services are standing only from Waterloo, and squash room only by Petone. And in the evening services that depart from 5pm - 5.30pm are already packed beyond capacity.
Even worse are the 7.15am service from Taita and the 5.35pm service from Wellington on trains that are older than most of the passengers!
Most people are waiting for new train units arrive in two years time to improve the services, but there are immediate steps that would make public transport more attractive. Improving facilities and parking at train stations is a good first step.
Another step would be to 'borrow' unused carraiges from other parts of the country. Auckland train services could release under-utilised carraiges - even an extra two or three units could allow extra carraiges to relieve overcrowding on some peak Wellington service.
Of course, there is one obvious problems - the story is not true.
Moving people to public transport and reducing congestion is a worthy goal with benefits for all - but there are other ways of achieving this than congestion charges. The first step is to make public transport attractive as existing services are not up to scratch.
The park and ride carparks at Waterloo are overflowing with cars (with people resorting to 'inventing' carparks or parking in nearby residential streets) and then trains are overcrowded. Most Hutt train services are standing only from Waterloo, and squash room only by Petone. And in the evening services that depart from 5pm - 5.30pm are already packed beyond capacity.
Even worse are the 7.15am service from Taita and the 5.35pm service from Wellington on trains that are older than most of the passengers!
Most people are waiting for new train units arrive in two years time to improve the services, but there are immediate steps that would make public transport more attractive. Improving facilities and parking at train stations is a good first step.
Another step would be to 'borrow' unused carraiges from other parts of the country. Auckland train services could release under-utilised carraiges - even an extra two or three units could allow extra carraiges to relieve overcrowding on some peak Wellington service.
posted by Michael at
7:09 PM
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