OPINION:
The recent announcement that Auckland Transport is suspending nearly 1000 bus services highlights the deficiencies in the Auckland public transport system that are systemic in nature.
These services have been suspended because of the shortage of drivers and the proposal is to cut back around 8 per cent of trips to balance driver supply with the service delivery – making the bulk of services that are left more reliable. Reliability is an important performance indicator for public transport – especially commuting and other time-dependent travel. Also, Auckland Transport is running at ultra-low patronage after Covid because of changes in passenger behaviour, including working from home. The move by Auckland Transport is logical and inevitable in light of the market changes in driver supply and patronage. It is highly likely that we will get more reductions in services if current market trends are extended.
There is cynicism around the announcement - that somehow Auckland Transport is trying to show their performance data in a better light by cutting unreliable services. But this view does not match with the transparency and quality of the data available on the Auckland Transport website – all manner of statistics released by Auckland Transport on a monthly basis, and in sync with the Auckland Transport Board meetings.
The reasons given for the necessary step to reduce services are reflected in many developed countries and a function of a broken system - rather than anything Auckland Transport has done. For example, a shortage of drivers is a phenomenon that exists in many countries and not just in the bus industry - but all over the transport industry. The well-reported shortage of truck drivers in the United Kingdom is a case in point. Likewise, working from home is a global trend that has erupted to cope with the pandemic, and now is becoming a permanent feature of working life.