Get moving: Bus lane culprits on video

By PHOEBE FALCONER

Q. Who are the people videoing the traffic as I come to work in the morning along Fanshawe St?

One or sometimes two have been there every morning for a couple of months.
- John Smith, Devonport.

A. The people Mr Smith refers to are probably Auckland City Council parking officers enforcing a bus lane.


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Q. We live at Whangaparaoa and do not get into the city often. When we do and come up to traffic lights with sometimes two or three lanes we cannot always see the arrows on the road for directions because there are cars ahead of us. Why can they not put the arrow signs up traffic light stands so you can see them?
- Esma Grant, Whangaparaoa.

A. Transit says road markings at traffic lights are dictated by traffic regulations. Small overhead lane assignment arrows have been used in Whangarei at some major intersections and Greater Auckland also has some.

Because "inappropriate lane change" is a significant crash factor in Auckland, Transit would like to hear about intersections where additional painted arrow markings might help motorists.

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Q. There is a logical route from Mt Eden into the city via Boston Rd, Nugent St and Grafton Rd. Some fairly modest changes should be made in Boston Rd because of the increased traffic and I wonder whether they are being scheduled? - Helga Arlington, Mt Eden.

A. The Auckland City Council says a bus lane providing access by traffic lights from Mt Eden Rd to Boston Rd operates only for a few hours a day. It is necessary for both city-bound lanes on Mt Eden Rd to be controlled by traffic lights. Chaotic lane changes would follow if the kerb-side lane was not signal controlled. The removal of parking on the northern side of Boston Rd would encourage two lanes of traffic on the road when two lanes are not marked. Collisions would be likely at the Nugent St roundabout with two lanes of vehicles approaching the roundabout. A reduction in the width of the Boston Rd footpath where it turns into Nugent St would encourage faster traffic (and more collisions, says the council).

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Q. Why does Stagecoach not invest in double-decker buses for Auckland, where space is at a premium?
- Chris Pattison, Waiake.

A. Stagecoach marketing manager Russell Turnbull says the preference has been to improve the frequency of services rather than increase the capacity of buses. Double-deckers do have some attractive features but they are not suited to Auckland with its overhanging verandas, cambered roads and low overhead bridge heights. Also speed of alighting is not as quick as from a single-decker.


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