Public opinion sought on $100m upgrade to Northwest bus service
Public transport in northwest Auckland is on the verge of receiving a $100 million touch up.
Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are asking for public opinion on an upgrade to bus routes that would speed up travel for 175,000 commuters.
The project would extend the existing bus shoulder lanes along the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) and build interim bus stops at Westgate and the Lincoln Road and Te Atatū motorway interchanges.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the project will allow faster and more frequent bus services.
“Bus passengers going from Westgate to the city during the morning peak could save up to 35 minutes on their journey as a result of these improvements,” he said.
“This project will also create around 300 jobs and support our economic recovery.”
Funding of $100 million has been provided to deliver these interim bus improvements as part of the Government’s recently announced stimulus funding package of infrastructure projects.
The improvements are to be built over the next five years and, once complete, will encourage more people to use public transport while plans are made for longer-term improvements.
Feedback is open until Sunday 25 October. To provide feedback, go to AT.govt.nz/haveyoursay
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.4% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.5% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Even Australians get it - so why not Kiwis???
“Ten years ago, if a heatwave as intense as last week’s record-breaker had hit the east coast, Australia’s power supply may well have buckled. But this time, the system largely operated as we needed, despite some outages.
On Australia’s main grid last quarter, renewables and energy storage contributed more than 50% of supplied electricity for the first time, while wholesale power prices were more than 40% lower than a year earlier.
[…] shifting demand from gas and coal for power and petrol for cars is likely to deliver significantly lower energy bills for households.
Last quarter, wind generation was up almost 30%, grid solar 15% and grid-scale batteries almost tripled their output. Gas generation fell 27% to its lowest level for a quarter century, while coal fell 4.6% to its lowest quarterly level ever.
Gas has long been the most expensive way to produce power. Gas peaking plants tend to fire up only when supply struggles to meet demand and power prices soar. Less demand for gas has flowed through to lower wholesale prices.”
Full article: www.theguardian.com...
If even Australians see the benefit of solar - then why is NZ actively boycotting solar uptake? The increased line rental for electricity was done to make solar less competitive and prevent cost per kWh to rise even more than it did - and electricity costs are expected to rise even more. Especially as National favours gas - which is the most expensive form of generating electricity. Which in turn will accelerate Climate Change, as if New Zealand didn’t have enough problems with droughts, floods, slips, etc. already.
Rock'in with Elvis by Mike Cole
The Memories of Elvis Fan Club invite you to our 1st Elvis Social for 2026. We are excited to have our own Mike Cole back at the Te Atatu RSA on Saturday 28th February at 7.30pm. Cost only $20pp. Tickets are on sale at the RSA or reserve through Jackie 0274901126. So lets see you with your dancing shoes on and that great smile as we start off 2026 with a bang.
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