Crs Jinty MacTavish and David Benson-Pope have included the issue in today’s DCC meeting, calling for "urgent cross-council collaboration" to resolve concerns about the location and design of the proposed Great King St hub.
Their concerns and claims ORC has not involved the DCC in its plans as much as it should have were dismissed by ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead, who said it had worked closely with DCC on the issue.
Cr Benson-Pope said some of his concerns were allayed at a briefing by the ORC on the issue last Monday, but he still had some misgivings and felt it would be constructive to have the issue discussed at today’s council meeting.
He was "ironically" reassured by the "rudimentary" level amenity being provided for the bus hub, which would make it easier for the DCC to make changes to the design or location if it took over the operation of the buses, as had been mooted.
"We are keen to have a really good bus hub. I’m not sure that’s what we are going to get.
"I don’t think think the investment that they have allocated to this anywhere near cuts the mustard, but ironically that may well mean there is no loss in getting things under way and having a bit more time to consider other possibilities [as a result of other developments]."
He also had some questions about the location of the hub.
"While previously everyone was pretty much predicated on the Great King St site, it occurs to a lot of people ... that there might be other sites that might be better, given other developments that are happening."
Those developments included the proposed Dunedin Hospital rebuild and construction being done or planned at the University of Otago.
He also believed there had been a lack of co-operation between the two councils.
"I don’t think the two authorities have consistently sung from the same songsheet.
"I think there is room for much improved co-ordination."
Mr Woodhead said he was disappointed with the claims made in the DCC agenda paper and by Cr Benson-Pope.
"DCC have been well aware of the proposals over the bus hub both at a staff and council level.
"It is included as one of the 10 key projects in DCC’s own Central City Plan which, according to the DCC’s website, was published in April [this year]."
This view was backed by ORC support services manager Gerard Collings, who said it had been working closely with the DCC on the hub.
Almost $3 million had been set aside for the hub, which he suggested was a "reasonable investment" and would go towards shelters, seating, public toilets and potentially some bicycle facilities.
It was hoped the bus hub would be constructed midway through next year and it was focused on getting the design right before it took the plans public, Mr Collings said.
This could happen as early as late this month.
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I think the ORC needs to do a survey of bus users and ask them if they would actually use a bus hub in Great King St. A bus hub only makes sense if it facilitates transfers and eases bus congestion in the central city. Which makes me think the first step should be a Park and Ride facility (with toilets) south of the Octagon preferably on or near Princes St, a place where all passing routes stop, enabling transfers. And a really effective bus shelter to wait for them. And make the central city zone between Cargill's Corner and the Gardens free. If a Park and Ride is actually used, then a north end Park and Ride would be the next step. And eventually there would no need for any bus routes between the TWO hubs except a free and frequent shuttle service. A central city shuttle bus might encourage more shoppers in Princes St , an obvious area for future development of the city. I suspect the proposed Great King St location would just be an unwelcome detour for most users who presently catch their bus somewhere along George St. North and south end Park and Ride sites could gradually be developed as needed to suit all transport users' changing behaviour. But the ORC rushes ahead.