Bus riders turn to car and train

Many commuters turned to trains at Britomart while Stagecoach buses remained idle. Most morning trains were delayed by five to six minutes because of the crush of passengers. Picture / Richard Robinson

Industrial action such as yesterday's strike by Auckland bus drivers will do nothing to help get commuters out of their cars, and into public transport, says the region's transport chief.

Auckland Regional Transport Authority chief executive Alan Thompson said curtailed bus services would likely be "a disincentive to commuter transport".

About 1000 drivers went on strike for the day to further their claims for a pay rise to $16 an hour, with a push to $16.50 next year.

More strikes are planned for next week - two depots at a time on four consecutive days.

About 80,000 commuters - making an estimated 150,000 trips are day - were expected to be affected by the stoppage.

But fears of mass strandings and gridlock failed to eventuate during yesterday's action.

Inspector Andrew Brill of the police Northern Communications unit said motorway traffic into the city was heavy, but not necessarily because of the strike.

"It's busy and congested, but nothing out of the ordinary."

His comments were echoed by Paul Young, a traffic centre operator, based at Northcote Point.

He said traffic was no worse than normal, and in some places was better than expected.

"I'd say there might be a few observers around saying 'Let's get the buses off the road'."

The lack of anticipated problems had Mr Young pondering what happened to Auckland's bus-riding commuters.

"Did they all stay home, or did they all go to work on their own arrangements?"

It appears many may have resorted to the train.

Connex spokeswoman Tessa Marjoram said extra rail carriages were put on to cope in the absence of a bus service, and commuter demand was "significantly up" as a result.

It was likely a few lucky passengers would have managed to get a free ride, as crowded carriages made ticket collecting problematic, but she did not believe too much revenue had been lost.

The Herald visited Britomart yesterday about 5pm and found the train platforms packed with waiting passengers.

Many stared at timetable rosters or information pamphlets while others rushed to pack themselves into the next train.

"The strike is very inconvenient," said Richard Lee, from Penrose, who normally takes the bus.

"I have to walk a long distance home from the train stop."

He hoped for a settlement soon: "I don't want a life without the bus."

Britomart security officers said it had been a busy day, with most of the morning trains delayed by five to six minutes as they were overloaded with passengers.

One officer said a PA system was set up especially for the rush home to direct people to the right trains.

It had been especially busy yesterday morning, about 3pm, and in the early evening, he said.

But some good did come of the strike.

"I didn't realise how much faster the train was," said student Alex Haumann, from Newmarket. "I might take the train every morning now."

With Stagecoach buses on strike, other providers stepped into the breach.

Birkenhead Transport, with a fleet of about 58 coaches, reported "substantially higher" numbers on board yesterday, with the company forced to put on extra services along its routes.

The company runs services from the central city to Beachhaven and Glenfield, but managing director Robert Inwards was not expecting a cash windfall from the extra business.

"There are short-term benefits, but by the time you have paid overtime, it works out pretty even."

Auckland Tramways acting union spokesman Perry Davis said the union was ready to talk with Stagecoach managers "as long as they have got something to say".

"If anything happens, it will happen [today].

"What we have put on the table hasn't changed, but we haven't met with them [since] the last meeting."

Mr Perry was part of a 60-strong picket laying seige to a Stagecoach depot at Swanson, in Waitakere yesterday. The picket had been "lawful and peaceful", but there had been no word from the bus company management.

Stagecoach had offered striking workers a 14.8 per cent pay rise over three years, which would see driver wages reach $16 an hour by 2007.

Operations manager Warren Fowler - who this week described union members as "hell bent on a strike" - said yesterday's action would likely have cost the company a figure "in the six digits".

He said the company was ready to negotiate with the union, and wanted to see them back at the bargaining table. "We are hoping to hear from them.

"They are the ones that called the strike, they have to come back.

"That's not to say we are going to shut the door ... we need to get a settlement."

Stagecoach drivers were due to return to work at 4am today.

Who wants what

* Stagecoach drivers: Want a pay increase to $16 an hour, effective immediately, and a further rise to $16.50 next year.

* Stagecoach management: Originally offered 12.8 per cent over three years, but raised the offer to 14.8 per cent. That would see drivers earning $16 an hour by 2007.

- additional reporting Derek Cheng