Cherie Howie: Sorry, the free ride stops here, madam

Cherie Howie got a flat-out 'No' when she tried to board the shuttle bus. Photo / Michael Craig

"You can't sit here."

Forrest Gump knew how it felt. And now, thanks to the Auckland Council-owned Auckland Transport, so do I.

Until three days ago, I didn't know what it was like to be refused transport.

I've never been turned away for poor behaviour.

I pay rates. Well, rent, but I'm sure the money I give my landlords helps pay the rates.

And I have a Hop card. A loaded Hop card, even — it has a whole $27.25 on it.

So surely, as a ratepaying, Hop card-toting, well-behaved Aucklander, I should be allowed to ride Auckland Transport's new shuttle for a comfortable cruise between Henderson and downtown Auckland? Wrong.

I tell the female driver who I am — which impresses exactly no one, but identifying yourself is one of the basic tenets in this news-gathering business — and that I would like a ride to the city please.

"I'm a ratepayer," I say proudly.

"No," is the answer.

"Here's my Hop card — it's got 30 bucks on it [slight exaggeration]," I enthuse.

The shuttle driver has a kind face, but the answer remains the same.

"[The shuttle] is only for Auckland Transport staff.

"You'll have to take the train," she says, pointing to the Henderson Train Station 50m away.

I'm left wondering why our public servants aren't given the same advice.