Get moving: Sunday rail services for Britomart in 2005-06 plan

Q: When will there be Sunday rail services operating out of Britomart? It would be great to attract families into the city on a day when they are free to travel together. Nick Nicolas, Greenlane.

A: Good news, Nick. Jeremy Sutton, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority's service delivery manager for rail, says Sunday services are in the 2005-06 plan, and should be in place by the end of this year.

They will happen only on the southern line at first, as the western line is still hampered by the double-tracking work.

Q: I am due to sit my driving test in June, when I will be 80. If I pass the test in an automatic car, I cannot then legally drive a manual car, even though I have been driving both for 50 years. I must sit the test in our manual car, which is difficult now for me to get in and out of. Can you please explain this illogical rule? Eric Parr, Parnell.

A: Eric, you're not the only one to see the unfairness of this law. An amendment is being drafted to change the restriction on older drivers (over 80) so their licence will permit them to drive automatic and manual vehicles, no matter which type they sat the test in.

It probably won't take effect until early next year, though, which is not much help to you in June.

Q: Travelling from Botany to East Tamaki in the mornings on Te Irirangi Drive, I find turning right into Smales Rd can be a problem. When the straight-ahead light turns green, the Botany-to-Manukau traffic is heaviest. No problem there. The Manukau-to-Botany traffic is much lighter and clears quickly, but you still have to wait to get a green right-turning light into Smales Rd. Any chance of the phasing being changed here? Peter Bowyer, Bucklands Beach.

A: Bruce Conaghan, Manukau City traffic engineer, admits this is a tricky one, as it's all about minimising delays and achieving a balance.

The Manukau-to-Botany traffic volumes are greater than those for a right-turn into Smales Rd, and will thus take priority. But Mr Conaghan has asked his staff to see if the right turn could start earlier or perhaps have a longer phase.