So, our "fully-integrated" public transport system - buses - is now being linked to the city's parking policy review (ODT 6.11.09).
I hope, by implication, that the buses will not end up being blamed for all of the parking woes since July 1Judging by the above article, it appears to be a reaction to a set of circumstances which is driving (or stalling?) a solution.
All options up for consideration by the joint Dunedin City Council-Otago Regional Council transport subcommittee are a start, but that is all they are.
Already they are constraining themselves by concentrating in too narrow an area - the options seem to be happening within close proximity to the Octagon.
Looking at the situation with a new set of eyes is all well and good providing you are not still looking through the same darkened sunglasses.
A holistic view, taking into account all of the transport modes, is what is required.
The movement of public transport, freight, private vehicles, cyclists - and pedestrians - are all vital to the wellbeing of Dunedin and all must be accounted for on an equal basis if the parking and traffic problems of Princes St-George St are to be solved.
Already, electric buses, bus transfer stations just north of the Octagon in Moray Place, turning the Octagon into a giant bus terminal have all been mentioned.
In one breath, we are told we have to look at the problem with a new set of eyes . . . but the options all include the reasons why we have such a dysfunctional system in the first place.
If you want to make businesses happy, customers happy and transport users happy make the area between the Exchange and Dundas St car free.
This cannot be done overnight and can only be effective if it is part of an overall strategy.
Instead of turning the Octagon into a bus terminal (where buses stop for a waiting period), the northern and southern sides can be used as bus stops to drop passengers off as they continue on their journeys.
This would keep traffic delays down to a minimum but ensure that all buses still arrive at the centre of the city.
The people arriving by public transport at the Octagon - or at the Exchange and Dundas St ends - can transfer on to light rail, which will run along the rail/pedestrian-only corridor with priority at all light-controlled junctions.
Travel on light rail will be free.
For this to work, the bus network must be overhauled first.
Buses would run at a frequency of no more than 15-minute intervals on all routes.
Passengers must be treated as customers and invited to use the service, not treated as a cash-cow.
Once you have a reliable, efficient bus service using bus priority lanes to ensure reliability, light rail can then be introduced.
Will the shopkeepers and businesses be up in arms at this move to get cars away from the main thoroughfare? Some will, no doubt.
But look at the many places around the world where removing the vehicles, except public transport, from the main shopping precincts has rejuvenated the areas.
If you plan for cars and traffic, you will get cars and traffic; if you plan for people and places, you get people and places.
Surely, if customers knew they could catch a bus within 15 minutes of leaving home, be at the Octagon soon after and then spend a couple of hours wandering around the shops instead of five or 10 minutes, then everyone benefits.
With the customer now in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with no vehicle fumes, pleasantly landscaped areas all along the main thoroughfare, easy access to all shops, including cafes and eating places, and a reliable public transport service, the chances are they will spend an hour or two casually wandering along.
This will give businesses more chance to attract the customer than a quick five minute trip ever will.
With light rail (free) along Princes St-George St everyone will be a winner.
Tempered with this, however, will be the need to address the effect that fewer cars on the road will have.
Whatever our views are on the matter, the use of the private car will slowly become prohibitive as petrol prices increase and the availability of oil becomes scarce.
To all those who think electric cars will be the saviour . . . think again.
Not only are electricity prices on the increase but the capacity to generate more electricity for a private vehicle is not there.
Unfortunately, all this is just wishful thinking: a well-used, efficient, reliable, integrated public transport system that would be of immense benefit to the majority of Dunedin citizens is just a dream.
We have $37.5 million for a glass roof for a sports stadium; $28 million earmarked for relocating the library 800m away from its central location to a location older people would have to take two infrequent buses to get to instead of one.
Yet buses are treated once again as travel fodder for the undeserving masses.
Get rid of the glass roof, or do not relocate the stadium and you could really have a public transport system that would be the shining star for Dunedin.
It could be so well-used that it would actually make a profit for the city.
Then, perhaps, something really positive could evolve from the parking issues. Phillip Cole
