Rants & Raves: Auckland Transport refund woes

The overcharging has happened three times in three weeks, says Christy Weightman.

Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - and what needs to change. Email rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz.

Rant
Every once in a while, we take the ferry from North Shore to Auckland. For some ineffable logic, both bus companies "servicing" the ferries at Devonport and Birkenhead feel it is in their customers' best interests to depart before alighting ferry passengers have time to board the buses. In the case of Birkenhead, the ferry hadn't even berthed before the bus departed. Necessitates a half-hour wait until the next bus. Why?
P D Patten

Rave
To the beautiful lady who very kindly paid for our parking at North Shore Hospital on Tuesday when the pay machine would not accept our $20 note because of a small crease in it: many thanks for your kindness.
Elaine & Peter Hollows

Rant
How much longer do we have to put up with repeat after repeat of ads on probably our main TV channel? Funeral ads, food processor ads and pillow ads among them make me determined that I would not support those companies under any circumstances.
Andrew

Rave
A big thank-you to the gentleman at Bute Bikes in Browns Bay. At a recent visit he not only gave us paint, free of charge, to touch up a scratch on my son's electric bike but also oiled the chain, re-secured a cable that had come loose, pumped up the tyres and gave us tips to ensure the bike was properly secured on the rack. We appreciated your time and generosity.
Claire & Nick

Rant
Auckland Transport - for the second time this week I have been overcharged. My $3 journey home has cost me $9.80 and when I ring to complain I am told they won't even consider my refund for 10 WORKING DAYS! The overcharging has happened three times in three weeks. The first time took 14 days for a refund and now it's happened twice in two days. They have $18 of my money and I won't see a cent of it back for another two weeks.
Christy Weightman

Rave
I would like to acknowledge the excellent treatment I recently received when in ward 75 at Auckland City Hospital. I was a patient for four days and I was cared for by the staff in a very compassionate and professional manner. With budget constraints imposed by the Government, it was a pleasure to find this high standard of care in our public health system. Thank you to everyone on ward 75.
Cecilia