Post by ferryfast admin on Feb 15, 2006 22:48:06 GMT -5
Hope for ferry commuters
By PJ TAYLOR
The Times-East Auckland
THERE could be a tiny glimmer of hope for hundreds of angry and frustrated Half Moon Bay ferry service users.
They’ve been invited to the discussion table by operators Fullers Auckland to air complaints.
The company wrote this week to Half Moon Bay resident and daily passenger, Cheryl Williams.
It responds to an open letter sent by Mrs Williams and signed by 345 disgruntled commuters who take the ferry to and from downtown Auckland.
Mrs Williams says she was originally only going to send the letter with one signature — hers.
But when friends said they’d sign it too, the ball started rolling. In six days 345 signatures were collected.
The letter reads: “We feel there’s very little if anything being done to provide improved services and facilities to encourage use of public transport in particular this ferry service, which does not cause the same environmental and landscape damage as attributed to motor vehicles.
“If anything, the ferry service from Half Moon Bay has gone backwards with an unreliable bus service connecting with the ferries and reduced ferry sailings.”
Mrs Williams says copies were sent to public bodies that have at least partial interest and responsibility for the ferry service, including Auckland Regional Council (ARC), Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL), Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Manukau City Council.
Minister for Auckland Issues Judith Tizard and Pakuranga MP and National Party transport spokesman Maurice Williamson were also letter targets, as were intertwined firms Fullers Auckland, Stagecoach and Infratil, all of whom have an ownership stake.
Mrs Williams says none of the publicly funded agencies or personnel had responded directly to her February 8 letter, by Times print deadline late yesterday.
Disappointment can be heard in her voice. It’s been six years of waiting for a Half Moon Bay ferry terminal upgrade and nothing, in her opinion, has been done.
Her letter continues: “Shortly after the commencement of the Half Moon Bay ferry service, May 1999, a sum of approximately $140,000 was allocated by the Auckland Regional Council for the erection of a cover over the walkway/pontoon, which has not been installed. The walkway/pontoon is still open and exposed to all weathers particularly rain, cold southerly and westerly winds.”
Mrs Williams, who pays $226 a month on tickets, says the next step is to form a Half Moon Bay ferry service users association, a smaller group representing those who signed the letter of complaint or agree with it.
Another concern for Mrs Williams is a levy of 20 cents per trip for terminal facilities.
The letter continues: “A terminal facility at Half Moon Bay is non-existent unless an open bus shelter situated approximately 70 metres from the ferry providing cover for 10 people counts.”
The Times lodged calls with ARTNL, ARTA and the ARC but no response was received by press time.
By PJ TAYLOR
The Times-East Auckland
THERE could be a tiny glimmer of hope for hundreds of angry and frustrated Half Moon Bay ferry service users.
They’ve been invited to the discussion table by operators Fullers Auckland to air complaints.
The company wrote this week to Half Moon Bay resident and daily passenger, Cheryl Williams.
It responds to an open letter sent by Mrs Williams and signed by 345 disgruntled commuters who take the ferry to and from downtown Auckland.
Mrs Williams says she was originally only going to send the letter with one signature — hers.
But when friends said they’d sign it too, the ball started rolling. In six days 345 signatures were collected.
The letter reads: “We feel there’s very little if anything being done to provide improved services and facilities to encourage use of public transport in particular this ferry service, which does not cause the same environmental and landscape damage as attributed to motor vehicles.
“If anything, the ferry service from Half Moon Bay has gone backwards with an unreliable bus service connecting with the ferries and reduced ferry sailings.”
Mrs Williams says copies were sent to public bodies that have at least partial interest and responsibility for the ferry service, including Auckland Regional Council (ARC), Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL), Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Manukau City Council.
Minister for Auckland Issues Judith Tizard and Pakuranga MP and National Party transport spokesman Maurice Williamson were also letter targets, as were intertwined firms Fullers Auckland, Stagecoach and Infratil, all of whom have an ownership stake.
Mrs Williams says none of the publicly funded agencies or personnel had responded directly to her February 8 letter, by Times print deadline late yesterday.
Disappointment can be heard in her voice. It’s been six years of waiting for a Half Moon Bay ferry terminal upgrade and nothing, in her opinion, has been done.
Her letter continues: “Shortly after the commencement of the Half Moon Bay ferry service, May 1999, a sum of approximately $140,000 was allocated by the Auckland Regional Council for the erection of a cover over the walkway/pontoon, which has not been installed. The walkway/pontoon is still open and exposed to all weathers particularly rain, cold southerly and westerly winds.”
Mrs Williams, who pays $226 a month on tickets, says the next step is to form a Half Moon Bay ferry service users association, a smaller group representing those who signed the letter of complaint or agree with it.
Another concern for Mrs Williams is a levy of 20 cents per trip for terminal facilities.
The letter continues: “A terminal facility at Half Moon Bay is non-existent unless an open bus shelter situated approximately 70 metres from the ferry providing cover for 10 people counts.”
The Times lodged calls with ARTNL, ARTA and the ARC but no response was received by press time.