Survey throws different light on Tauranga traffic congestion

Congestion at one of Tauranga's traffic hot spots, the Bayfair roundabout. Photo/file

A council survey has put a different slant on Census data that listed Tauranga as the New Zealand city most dependent on cars to get around.

The telephone survey of 451 residents revealed that 64 per cent of Tauranga drivers contributed to peak-time traffic congestion.

This compared with Census data that showed private vehicles were the transport choice for 91 per cent of Tauranga residents.

The council survey run by a professional polling company disclosed that 29 per cent of respondents did not work or worked from home. It also revealed that 64 per cent of residents used a private or company vehicle to get to work.

Councillor Larry Baldock called for an investigation into the survey results to assist with the work of the council's transport committee.

Tauranga transport planning and investments in new roads were driven by rush-hour peaks.

The findings from the council's annual survey of residents put a different slant on the Census data.

Six per cent of residents told the council they caught the bus, walked or cycled to work, with a further 2 per cent specifying "other". This was similar to the Census where 9 per cent said they caught the bus, walked or cycled.

The main difference was in the council survey revealing that 29 per cent of residents did not work or worked at home. It meant they had no impact on peak-time congestion except where children were driven to school.

A different question revealed that two-thirds of Tauranga drivers were satisfied with the level of safety on the roads. Twenty per cent were neutral on the issue, leaving 12 per cent dissatisfied.

A surprisingly large 34 per cent of respondents said they cycled in Tauranga. Of these, 36 per cent were satisfied with the level of safety on roads or cycleways, 35 per cent were neutral and 28 per cent were dissatisfied.

The demographic profile of the respondents were 18-24 (10 per cent), 25-34 (14 per cent), 35-44 (17 per cent), 45-54 (18 per cent), 55-64 (16 per cent) and 65 plus (25 per cent). The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 per cent.

How Tauranga residents got to work
- Drove a private vehicle 56 per cent
- Drove a company vehicle 5 per cent
- Public bus 3 per cent
- Walk or jog 2 per cent
- Passenger in a private vehicle 2 per cent
- Other 2 per cent
- Bicycle 1 per cent
- Motorbike 1 per cent
- Didn't work 23 per cent
- Worked at home 6 per cent