REVERSING SPEED RESTRICTION
The new Government has done a number of wrong moves or backward steps but not in announcing a return of a number of reduced speed restrictions to their former limits and to speed up the process of making some sections of motorways 110km zones.
This has much to do with open highways reduced under the Labour-Greens Govt from 100km to 80km and inner cities and towns from 50km down to 40km and 30 km.
One of the most obvious is State Highway 2 between Featheston and Carterton which is virtually a straight road in a rural area and suddenly without much consideration has been restricted to 80km.
But closer to home what I would like to see is Alexander Road in Upper Hutt returned to 80km instead of the new speed restriction of 50km. This road incorporates a golf course on one side and a military encampment on the other and further along has fully high fenced-in urban housing and has several round-abouts which each automatically reduces speed to as low as 30km-40km when approaching and during the rounding.
I hope that the Government can knock some sense into the UHCC who engineered this new restricted speed in Alexander Road which is easy pickings for the cops to make some money but otherwise not doing much good and has had a very low accident rating.
We're taking the bus!
The number of Wellingtonians taking the bus and train rose by 3% last week compared to the same time last year, according to Metlink.
Not surprising given petrol prices at the moment. But if you're considering giving up your car commute for a leisurely bus ride in the mornings, it would be worth it.
It's about to get even easier: In April, e-pay will be launched, meaning you can tap on with your credit cards as well as smart devices.
It's better on the environment too: With most Metlink trains running on electricity, 25% of the bus fleet being EV’s and the Ika Rere electric ferry, Metlink is able to move more people using less fuel than any other transport option.
With fuel costs so high, it's a good idea to jump on board if you can. If you've become a public transport convert recently, how have you found it?
Poll: Tightening the belt at the pump ... How are you pivoting? 🚌🚲🏠
Between the headlines about the Strait of Hormuz and the creeping costs at our local stations, the "fuel crisis" has moved from the news to our wallets.
A recent opinion piece in The Post suggested that Wellington Councils should be shifting our public facilities to renewable energy ASAP to keep our rates from being vulnerable to these global fuel hikes. It’s a big conversation for the city, but what about your daily commute?
We want to know: With fuel prices staying high for the foreseeable future, are you changing how you get around the capital?
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18.9% Yes – I’m a bus/train user
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6.1% Dusting off the bike
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6.1% Working from home
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62.2% Nope, same as always
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6.6% Other (Tell us your strategy in the comments!)
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