Auckland Transport under fire for ‘lack of transparency’ at council meeting

Thursday, 8 August 2024

Auckland Councillor Christine Fletcher said she was “seriously angry” AT was going ahead with a proposal which had twice been knocked down due to community opposition.

Auckland Transport has faced fiery criticism from elected representatives over a proposal to axe part of the Outer Link bus service.

When the transport agency previously tried to shorten the route in 2016 and 2019 it was met by widespread opposition including 1200 direct submissions and a petition.

Yet AT staff informed city councillors on Thursday it would be going ahead with a proposal to cut out Mt Eden and Morningside, in favour of servicing northern central suburbs.

They justified the move, having included the proposal in 120 page regional planning document which the public could have submitted on.

“Cynics might think it was being buried within a large document to avoid backlash,” Albert-Eden Local Board chair Kendyl Smith told AT staff at the transport meeting.

Smith acknowledged AT had a lot on its plate, and that pared-back consultation might have been a cost saver, but she said the move “lacked transparency”.

Kendyl Smith, chair of the Albert-Eden Local Board appeared before the Auckland Council Transport and Infrastrcuture Committee by video conference.

“I applaud CCOs saving money but not at the cost of democracy,” she said.

Councillors heard that the route was the city’s fourth most used bus service, but it had also copped complaints for being unreliable. AT believes shortening the route will mean fewer delays.

Yet, Councillor Christine Fletcher, whose ward was directly affected by the proposal, said ratepayers would see the move as “a betrayal”.

Frances Loo of the Mt Eden Village Business Asociation said it had come as a shock that AT was reneging on an understand that the OuterLlink would continue until CRL opened.

“I’m not averse to change, I’m averse to the erosion of trust,” she said.

“I'm seriously angry because it has inflamed people who are valuable to the council and the business community.”

Councillors and AT heard from Frances Loo of the Mt Eden Village Business Association who said she had been shocked to hear the proposed changes would be going ahead without further consultation.

It had previously been understood that AT would retain the route until the City Rail Link opened with the Maungawhau station.

She said customers at her tea and book shop “had considerable concerns [over] changes to a much loved bus route”.

However, Mayor Wayne Brown and councillor Richard Hills both said they had experienced delays while using the service and were pleased AT was taking action.

“All of I’ve heard over the last four years [from travellers] is that it’s ridiculous and it needs to change,” Hills said.

AT director of public transport Stacey van der Putten, meanwhile, took the criticism on the chin.

“My take away is that we have not done a good job at communicating,” she said.

“I’ve heard very loud and clear that what has been done was not substantial enough, because it was an important plan.”

Yet, AT will be proceeding with its proposal and is expecting to implement it in November.

Van der Putten said it was now up to staff to ensure transport users understood their new options.

A new route, the 64 bus, will run from Newmarket to St Lukes and stop at Mt Eden. A 65 bus will also run from Pt Chevalier to St Lukes. It means travellers need to interchange multiple times to take the same route as the old Outer Link.

Fletcher said AT would have to “front foot” the announcement of the changes to the community including showing up to a community meeting.

“I want to support AT and come in behind you but an experience like this leaves a really sour taste,” Fletcher said.