Latest news with #NZTA
Otago Daily Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Putting the skids under buses
All aboard! Next stop, short-termism. In a week which gave us some evidence that New Zealand governments can think beyond the three-year electoral cycle, thanks to the release of a draft National Infrastructure Plan, buses have managed to bring us back to earth. The Otago Regional Council has been stuck between a rock and a hard place over lifting bus fares for passengers in Dunedin and Queenstown. Its hardest decision was whether to follow the road the government is steering regional councils down — to get rid of free bus fares for children. In the end, the council had little choice but to go in the direction laid out by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Despite opposition from some councillors, 5 to 18-year-olds will now pay $1.50 per trip while single adult fares will rise from $2 to $2.50. Cr Michael Laws, who voted against the adoption of the council's regional public transport plan 2025-35, voiced the concerns many parents will have, that at $1.50 a trip for only one child, that extra $600 a year may be another significant burden for a struggling household. Insisting on children becoming fare-paying customers was at odds with Associate Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour's anti-truancy "crusade", Cr Laws said. PHOTO: ODT FILES It certainly is the case that the council has been railroaded into the fare hikes by the government. Their arms have been twisted by the not-so-subtle threat that to be eligible for central co-funding of public transport, they must align themselves with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and NZTA's fares and funding policy direction. While the previous Labour government and the Green Party have been big supporters of public transport, and low or no fares for children, the coalition has been slowly but surely turning that approach around. We have also seen it in the loss of financial support for cycling and pedestrian initiatives, and in money being more freely available for major roading projects (not to mention higher speed limits). What the government is actually doing is putting things in reverse when it comes to a cleaner, green future for New Zealand. The council, and others around the country, are now in a very difficult position, because if patronage falls as a consequence of these changes, then that's not an encouraging sign for the future of that service. The cleft stick faced by the regional council is that it could have carried on without the fare increases, but that would have cost ratepayers several hundreds of thousands of dollars in higher rates bills. Council staff told councillors ahead of the vote it was a "tricky balance" for them this time, trying to take into account elected representatives' expectations and those of the community and government. While there was "strong public support" for free children's fares, there was "strong opposition" from NZTA. Cr Andrew Noone, the co-chairman of the public and active transport committee, made it obvious to colleagues they had little choice. It had been made "pretty clear there could well be implications to existing services" if the council didn't increase passenger revenue. Chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson articulated her concerns about the unfairness of the position the government had put the council in. ORC one of the best-performing authorities when it came to raising money from public transport, but that success remained unrewarded: "Instead we are penalised and threatened with removal of current services and that's simply not OK," she said. Councillors agreed to write to Mr Seymour, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Transport Minister Chris Bishop in an attempt to explain that children's bus fares could backfire and affect attendance at school. We are of the view that scrapping free buses for children and increasing fares for adults is the kind of step backwards which those concerned about the country's future would go to great lengths to avoid. However, we appreciate the invidious position the regional council is in and understand why it made the decision it did. The pressure on bus fares from the coalition would be concerning enough on its own, without the wider amplifying anti-regional council views that some, most notably thwarted Resources Minister Shane Jones, are expressing. Little wonder the council, and its contemporaries across the nation, will be opting to take a cautious approach.
Scoop
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Speed Limit To Stay At 60 km/h On Cobham Drive
The speed limit on Cobham Drive will remain at 60km/h, Hamilton City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) have determined. At its meeting yesterday (26 June 2025) Council voted to keep the lower speed limit on a section of Cobham Drive, between the intersection of Normandy Avenue and Tristram Street. This change was supported by NZTA. Last week (19 June 2025), NZTA announced it would also retain the 60km/h speed limit on State Highway 1C/Cobham Drive recognising the safety benefits, consistency of the network, alignment to local roads, and positive key stakeholder feedback. Acting Operate and Maintain Unit Director Gordon Naidoo said this decision was a good one, to create a safer environment for one of the city's busiest roads. 'Cobham Drive is a key link for both Hamilton residents and those travelling through the city on the State Highway network. We've seen the benefits of a slower speed over the past few years in terms of crash numbers and this decision will support that to continue.' An average of 23,000 vehicles travel the Hamilton section of Cobham Drive every day. Data shows a 73% decrease in crashes since the speed limit was lowered in June 2023. Council's initial speed limit reduction from 80km/h to 60km/h was approved in 2023 following consultation as part of the Hamilton City 2023 Speed Management Plan. However, Government's new speed limit rules (Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024) determined the speed limit must return to 80km/h by 30 June 2025 unless Council determined otherwise following community consultation. In line with requirements of the Rule, public consultation feedback was considered alongside technical, safety and cost benefit analysis. The decision to keep the speed limit at 60km/h means no changes to the road are needed.
Scoop
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Driver Licencing Wait Times Shortest Yet
Minister of Transport The Government's work to deliver better public services for New Zealanders is paying dividends for people working to gain their driver licence, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. 'National average wait times are now just four days for a full licence test and seven days for a restricted licence test, down from a peak of up to 90 days in some regions,' Mr Bishop says. 'At one point in 2024, we saw wait times get as high as 90 days in some regions, with a backlog of over 80,000 people applying to sit their licence tests at one point. 'These unacceptable wait times were the result of the previous government's decision to remove re-sit fees for theory and practical tests in 2023. This led to people not preparing properly for their tests, no shows, and people failing. These people simply went back in line to re-sit their test again and again. 'The Government took decisive action to reduce wait times. We introduced a limit of one free re-sit for Class 1 driver licence tests, removed free re-sits for overseas licence conversions, and temporarily extended the amount of time people can drive on their overseas licence from 12 months to 18 months. 'NZTA and VTNZ have also recruited and trained more than 70 new Driver Testing Officers, introduced new temporary testing sites, and extended testing site hours in some regions. Text alerts were also introduced to remind people of their driving test and ensure they turn up on the day. 'Wait times are continuing to be monitored closely, and if they increase at individual testing sites NZTA will work with testing agents to bring them down. 'We have delivered on our promise to bring wait times down, creating a more efficient licensing system that contributes to road safety. 'I also encourage anyone preparing for their test to check out the free resources available on the Drive website. Developed by NZTA and ACC, Drive is an official resource designed to help learner drivers and those teaching others how to drive. 'A driver licence can unlock many opportunities for a person and improve access to employment. We want to make sure we're removing barriers and keeping people safe on our roads.'
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather live: Thunderstorm warning for parts of North Island, states of emergency in South
Nelson's Maitai River in June 2025. Photo: Samantha Gee / RNZ The top of the South Island is effectively cut off at the moment, with a number of state highways closed. A state of emergency has been declared for Nelson and Marlborough as a result of severe weather and evacuations. Tasman District Council says the declaration will allow agencies to rapidly respond, with slips and flooding across the district and further rain forecast. Meanwhile, MetService has issued a "red level" severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Northland, Auckland and Waikato, as torrential rain hits the upper North Island. Fire and Emergency North has attended about 14 weather-related call outs, mainly in the Auckland region - a majority concerned fallen trees across roads and downed powerlines. High winds could close the Auckland Harbour bridge on Friday morning, NZTA warned on Thursday. Fire and Emergency is helping residents amid extensive flooding in Richmond and Motueka. Follow the RNZ liveblog for the latest weather updates:
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather live: Heavy rain lashes top of South Island, expected to head north
Photo: MetService screenshot Marlborough district mayor Nadine Taylor has declared a localised state of emergency for parts of the region. An orange heavy rain warning is in place until 6pm in the Nelson District about and southeast of SH 6 and north of Nelson Lakes, also Marlborough about and north of Seddon. Around 60 households in the township of Spring Creek, north of Blenheim have been advised to evacuate by 9am, ahead of peak river levels expected for the Wairau River about midday. MetService had weather warnings for much of the North Island for later on Friday too, particularly Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Northland and Auckland. High winds could close the Auckland Harbour bridge during the Friday morning commute, NZTA warned on Thursday. Follow the RNZ liveblog for the latest weather updates:
