Is This Fair? Wheres Our Money?

The Christchurch City Council has released its long-term plan for the city, of which there are three interesting transport related points. Funding for bus priority measures, the new transport interchange and the tram extensions have all been approved. However, as much as this provides evidence that a few exciting transport initiatives are under way it also raises more questions.

First, lets take a look at bus priority measures. The final part of this (Cranford Street) is not due to be completed until 2018! Well at least that's what it seems to be saying on the councils media release (http://www.ccc.govt.nz/MediaReleases/2009/July/01090244.asp). What this means is really any ones guess. Does this refer to bus lanes or is there more to it? Do we really have to wait a decade for bus lanes on Cranford Street? I hope not.

Second, its nice to see that the replacement for the Bus Exchange is now being touted as a 'transport interchange'. Of more concern is the claim that it will be built to meet increasing demands in public transport. Why this seems to make sense its primary goal should be more than that, it should aim to increase use in public transport rather than meet current (still poor) demand.

Finally, funding has been confirmed, as I've already pointed out, for the tram extension. However, funding has been confirmed not just for the initial stage but also for the final stage to the CPIT.

What worries me most of all is the time it is taking to implement improvements to public transport. If it is true, and we have to wait a decade for bus priority measurements then we have a serious funding issue. If local government had greater funding powers then it might be more possible to get such projects completed in a realistic time frame. If the current government had not dropped the proposed regional fuel tax then we may not have such an issue. In addition, questions must be asked why the government is happy to pile billions of dollars into 'passing lanes of national significance' but isn't willing to make available significant funds for public transport projects like these in Christchurch.

Auckland and Wellington are both receiving significant investment in their rail networks from central government while Christchurch continues to struggle to fund its own limited bus network and hasn't seen a commuter train on one of it's three rail lines in 39 years. Is this fair?

I look forward still to more details on these three projects. It may be possible that much needed bus lanes will not take such a lengthy time to implement and we may get a transport interchange that is more than a glorified bus stop. We may also receive a tram extension that moves more towards light rail rather than a museum piece. Until I hear more though, keep your powder dry.