Regional Council says it would do little differently if it could roll out Wellington's new bus network again

DomPost article Titled:

"Regional Council says it would do little differently if it could roll out Wellington's new bus network again"

This will be short and brief.The GWRC has, as people have pointed out, proven themselves incompetent with regards to the handling of this fiasco and fuck-up.

Having Councillors responsible for the transport system NOT SHOWING UP TO MEETINGS because it was too "toxic" is inexcusable. Having the nerve to blame an operator as the main reason why the network is failing, rather than themselves, is ridiculous.

To then go on and say that if they were able to wind back the clock and start again, that they would change very little, shows the traveling public and the residents in the Greater Wellington area, that this regional council gives exactly ZERO fucks about the people who rely on public transport to get to and from work, home, school and other places. These people are the ones with the power to vote these ignorant shits out of council come local govt election time next year.


I GUARANTEE THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO VOTE WILL WANT LAIDLAW, DONALDSON AND CO GONE! I WILL BE ONE OF THESE VOTERS

Tramways Union News: Wellington bus drivers vote to strike!

::News from the Tramways Union Wellington Branch::

Hundreds of Wellington region bus drivers have voted for an ongoing strike at any and all of the region’s public transport bus companies that have not settled a collective employment agreement by October 23.

Drivers also raised a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Greater Wellington Regional Council, and called for a commissioner to take over the region’s public transport.

Tramways Union Secretary Kevin O’Sullivan says the strike is a matter of last resort. “We have been trying to get Tranzit to negotiate for months and still have no offer from them or any indication they are taking the bargaining seriously. This is why we have now had to set a deadline.

“Meanwhile the GWRC has been telling us everything is fine and refusing to hold their contractors to account for their lack of good faith. It’s become clear that the Council has no intention of fixing the industrial dispute or the public transport system. They need to have it taken away from them before they make matters worse.

“There is no way that Wellington’s bus system can be fixed without a fair deal for drivers. Until this is settled the driver shortage will continue, the industrial action will continue, and drivers will continue to have no reason to even try to make this broken system work.

“We don’t want to make life harder for Wellington commuters, the council has already done enough of that, but if we don’t take a stand things are only going to get worse for everyone. I think the people of Wellington understand that which is why our members have had so much support.”
​
Companies facing industrial action are: Tranzurban Wellington and Hutt (Tranzit), Uzabus, and NZ Bus.

- Tramways Union Wellington Branch
http://tramways.weebly.com/union-news--updates/wellington-bus-drivers-vote-to-strike

Livestream Announcement! OMSI 2 » 22/09/2018

Need I Say More?

Chris Laidlaw - The facial expressions and body language of a man who doesn't care

Oh, and that last image has Darren Ponter, the spokesperson for public transport I believe (scribbling on the paper in the background), who describes the operational part of the network as a "failure" but still says that the rest of the system is fine...

Seven Weeks In » The Bus Network In Wellington.

No surprise that it is still broken... Buses disappearing from RTI displays, buses late, cancelled etc.

I went around Wellington on Sunday and I think the only bus on time was the number 3 from it's starting point at Tirangi Rd!

After reading an opinion piece from Dave Armstrong on stuff titled:
"Dave Armstrong: My free plan for better Wellington buses"

I went to the comments, as I usually do, to see what people think.

Some were supportive of Dave's idea of not paying for any bus later than 10 minutes, whilst some were not.

Obviously Dave's idea is not to go at the drivers, rather at the council, as i'm pretty sure that all the farebox revenue goes straight to GWRC at the end of the day.

One comment stuck out for me:

Metlink Route 1 Timelapse - Wellington (Hutt Rd) » Johnsonville » BCI Citirider

I was able to film part of my journey to Johnsonville. Hope you enjoy this ride on a Tranzurban BCI Citirider! Music: Apperture by Unison [NCS Release]

Arma 3 Exile Montage Ep. 1

Site Update: 09/08/2018

I've removed the two images in honour of  Go Wellington and Valley Flyer, since it's been over one month since contract change in Wellington, and more than two in the Hutt.

I've also added, above the searchbar on the right, a little list, that I will populate, with upcoming events, such as livestreams, bus and train spotting, and other things that may be of interest to people.

Bus Spotting In Wellington Region: Friday 27th July

I've wanted to get some pictures of the wellington bus scene after contract change for a while now, and according to the weather people, friday is the best day to do so.

Also wanted to ride a Double Decker bus as well :)