I agree with your article about the Mangere bus routes ("Out in the cold again", July 26) and access to the airport.
I would also like to know whether there is a plan to have the modern illuminated arrival signs placed at the Onehunga terminal (by the library), and
perhaps smaller boxes showing buses' expected arrival times. - I Orsbourn
Your correspondent Isaac Broome has again highlighted the dysfunctional nature of Auckland's public transport network and scheduling. Both issues could be easily fixed. A revamped programme for Auckland public transport has been available to Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, and their predecessors, for five years. Called Supermaxx, it brings together all five elements of a highly functional and economical public transport system - network, schedules, fare type, fare level, and infrastructure. It offers services every 10 minutes from 7am to 8pm, every 20 minutes 6am-7am and 8pm-midnight; hourly midnight-6am on weekdays. One primary route [would be] Aotea to Newmarket, Royal Oak, Onehunga rail station, Airport domestic terminal, Puhinui station and Manukau City. This connects with secondary and local routes at Newmarket, Greenlane Rd, Royal Oak, Onehunga, Kirkbride Rd and Manukau City. All local areas mentioned by your correspondent are served [under the Supermaxx model] every 20 minutes.
If implemented fully, Supermaxx would save more than $50 million per annum in operating subsidies based on an unlimited travel fare of $70 for 30 days anywhere between Albany and Papakura and Swanson and Howick.
The revamped network and schedules can be introduced within three months at a minimal cost. It is tragic Auckland Transport and Councilperpetuate the current dysfunctional system rather than have the courage and integrity to revamp the system for the benefit of the people. [Abridged] - Stephen Greenfield,Auckland Transport Consultancy
Before we were all forced into being part of this "stupid city" (aka Auckland), the "old" Auckland City Council knew it had to spend mega-millions to fix the knackered sewers and stormwater.
That's why it wanted us all as a cash cow and Watercare are charged with milking us as well as the new Auckland Council. The council have a bigger bucket of money now, so watch them spend, spend, spend. They don't know the meaning of a recession, or unemployment. - Vivienne Keohane,Kaipatiki Local Board
MARKET MOVES
Who, I ask, is Peter White ("New home mooted for market," August 9)? Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will make the decision if the Sunday Market will be moved to Hurstmere Rd. I object to decisions being made by unelected people or parties. - Jean Revill, Takapuna
Call it Hall's Corner, Takapuna Beach or plain old Takapuna, the image is the same - a dreary, uninviting place to shop. Peter White and decades of predecessors have redeveloped Takapuna so many times over the past 50 years that it resembles a '60-minute makeover'. Any sense of character has been developed into dust.