Get moving: Number up for old buses

By PHOEBE FALCONER

Q. Why do so few buses display their route number on the back and/or side? It would be a help to know if the bus which pulled out or swept past as we panted up to the stop was the one we'd hoped to catch. Ruth Morton, Onehunga.

A. From observation, as a regular bus user, it is only the older buses which don't have this information displayed.

The newer styles of buses all have the route numbers on both back and side, and it would seem likely that as the old buses are phased out, this will become more and more commonplace.

It's always nice to know what you've just missed.

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Q. There are two lanes in Wairau Rd heading south that exit into three lanes into Tristram Ave. It has been my practice to take the right-hand of the two left-hand lanes in Wairau to give me the centre lane in Tristram, thus enabling me to join the left-hand lane of the motorway south, so that I can exit at Northcote. Recently I incurred the wrath of a motorist who exited the left lane Wairau into the centre Tristram lane. Who is correct? The road markings are unclear. Peter Vaughan, Northcote.

A. I got caught at this intersection last week and was tooted at as well, so I went back yesterday for another look. The furthest-left lane from Wairau splits to give motorway access north and a straight-ahead lane east to Tristram. The right left lane leads to a turn-right only lane.

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Q. I live in one of the streets that runs from Great South Rd to Cornwall Park and cannot understand why Great South Rd from the Harp of Erin to Greenlane Foodtown (and beyond into Newmarket for that matter) is not a clearway 24 hours a day. Are there any plans to change this? This is a major arterial route and the cars which park along it cause big delays at the lights at the Harp of Erin as the traffic is forced into one lane, when two could easily be available. There are signs of parking restrictions along the road but I have never seen a traffic warden there. Anne Shepherd, Greenlane.

A. The parking wardens do their best, but alas, their resources are limited. There are no plans to make this a 24-hour clearway, but there are plans to upgrade Great South Rd, as well as Green Lane East and Green Lane West, with additional lanes, dedicated bus lanes during peak hours, and improved cycleways and pedestrian refuges (love that term).

This work is still at the concept stage, with construction expected to begin late next year, and should make life easier for residents in the area.


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