Rants & Raves: Thumbs-down to AT

The public Transport Users Association held a special funeral in June, complete with mourners, a grim reaper and a coffin at the Waitakere train station. Photo / Nick Reed

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

Rave
My wife and I recently visited Auckland City Hospital for the birth of our son and later had to visit the Starship for a minor concern. We found the operating theatre staff, midwives, doctors and nurses to be outstanding - a credit to their profession. Thanks for the exceptional level of care.
David & Annie Smith

Rant
Thumbs-down to Auckland Transport for the two-finger salute to the people of Kumeu and Waitakere, closing the rail service to Waitakere from today. With the massive amount of new housing planned around Kumeu, common sense would be to extend a diesel shuttle service from Swanson to Huapai, like the rail service Pukekohe will have from today.
K Greene

Rave
This week on a trip back to Auckland, I pulled into the Top of the Hill cafe in the Dome Valley to give my 89-year-old mother a break. But I realised she couldn't make the walk up over the loose metal to the restaurant, so asked if I could drive up to the ramp. Not only did the man meet the car, he took my mother's arm and saw her safely inside, gave her a blanket and let me leave my car in the private parking area for an easy exit.
L. Wilson

Rant
I suspect Amanda's biggest gripe (from Thursday) is how dare those lazy, over-paid teachers (babysitters) have another day off. All "teacher only" days are tacked on to the year so students get the same number of teaching days. Twelve weeks' holidays? Yeah, right! Most teachers work through nearly all their holidays. I know, having just retired as one and being married to another. If it's such a great job, why not apply?
Malcolm

Rave
Thank you, Auckland Council, for sweeping the sidewalks and trimming the hedges so we can walk and run on safe pathways.
Mandy H

Rant
The parking cost to visit sick family or friends is prohibitive. It's outrageous to collect money from visitors to sick or dying family members. If the owners are worried their carparks will be used by others, there's a way around this. The hospital issues a pass card to family members on admission which negates parking charges and expires on discharge or death of the patient. I'm sure someone could make money from the idea; even a one-off charge for the card would be much cheaper than the daily costs to many who can't afford it.
Colleen