Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.4% Yes, it's fair
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9.7% No, it's unreasonable
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
Have your say on Canterbury’s public transport
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury residents are being encouraged to have their say on public transport in the region.
Environment Canterbury has released its draft public transport plan and is seeking submissions.
The draft plan outlines a vision for public transport in the region and notes key priorities such as improving the environment, growing patronage, accessibility, innovation and technology, and affordability.
‘‘Public transport takes many forms with communities across our region,’’ councillor Peter Scott said.
‘‘With limited funding available, we need to make sure we make the best decisions to deliver a public transport network that is integrated with urban development, innovative and meets the needs of new and existing customers.
‘‘Effective public transport is the lifeline that connects us to work, school, recreation and our friends and family, so it is important we get this right.’’
The Canterbury’s population is growing and by 2050, it is projected 700,000 people will be living in Greater Christchurch.
The draft plan covers public transport for the region, which includes the Metro service (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri), MyWay by Metro in Timaru, Total Mobility and Community Vehicle Trusts.
It was developed in partnership with local councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Environment Canterbury has been planning to step up its public transport efforts by increasing the frequency of existing services and introducing mass rapid transport in Greater Christchurch.
But these plans have been stalled by a lack of public transport funding in the Government’s 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
A proposal to allow people to travel with domestic pets is also included in the draft plan.
Having pets on buses has been successfully trial in other parts of New Zealand, councillor Joe Davies said.
‘‘We’re keen to understand what controls are needed for our bus users in Greater Christchurch and Timaru to be comfortable with pets on public transport.
It is proposed to allow adult passengers to bring a single pet on board, as long it is in an approved carrier at off-peak times, weekdays between 9am and 3pm or after 6pm, and during weekends.
Another proposal would loosen those restrictions in future to allow for leashed and muzzled dogs and increasing the limit to two pets per passenger.
‘‘We want to gauge how people feel about these proposals. Now is the time to have your say,’’ Davies said.
Submissions close on Thursday, October 24.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Bad experience with carpet cleaners
I would like to share the bad experiences I have had over the past few weeks with a carpet cleaning company called Clean Globe. Twice in the last 10 weeks, I have made appointments for them to clean the carpets in my house, and both times they did not turn up, nor contact me soon after the expected time to explain or apologise.
The first appointment was in early Sept and I spent hours beforehand shifting all the small furniture so they had a clear run. This was difficult as I have a back disability and this heavy work caused a lot of pain which affected my mobility for a couple of days. Two large bird cages also had to be relocated out of the house.
However 45 minutes before they were due, I had a phone call to say they were running 60-90 minutes late, due to a van break down. I said I wasn’t happy as I would have to change a later appointment, but would have to accept it. Then nothing – no phone call, no arrival, no text!
I waited a day before putting a negative review on their website and immediately received a rather generic apology. Nothing more.
Then last week I received a marketing email extoling their virtues, so seeing red at their cheek, I sent back a very negative response telling them how I felt. Immediately I received a more genuine email, apologising and offering to come and clean my carpet free of charge, and they would shift all the small furniture themselves. Happy with this, and by way of a very pleasant phone call, I made another booking for yesterday, but still did quite a bit of heavy cleaning – skirting boards, cobwebs, etc. Bird cages were relocated again.
Did they turn up? Apology? Phone call? Nothing! I pulled up their confirmation email (which I had earlier accepted) and replied to it saying that it was a pity they hadn’t kept the appointment themselves.
This morning I found an email sent at 10.45 pm yesterday saying simply “Will come tomorrow at 12pm. Regards Ash”.
I have no desire to allow them to let me down a third time, and was going out, so replied by email and text to tell them not to come today and that I wanted nothing more to do with their company.
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Now I have just received another generic marketing email saying how wonderful they are!
Not a good way to run a business Clean Globe!
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