Most Hamilton City Council by-election candidates oppose in-lane bus stops

Monday, 12 February 2024

Chanelle Purlija feels like she’s running the gauntlet whenever she leaves her Hamilton workplace thanks to a new in-lane bus stop.

It’s one of a number of the stops causing motorists headaches around the city and, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Hamilton East by-election, it’s become a hot button issue.

Almost every candidate opposes them, although they’re wary about the price of ripping them out.

From Purlija’s perspective, the traffic problems have increased since the stop was put in.

“It actually blocks the line of sight for those going out of the car park to try and get into the traffic because the bus literally parks about a metre from our car park exit.”

Pembroke St, one of the main routes to Waikato Hospital, is a relatively busy road without the buses holding up traffic, she said, and it’s causing dangerous driving behaviour.

“We’re finding cars trying to overtake the buses on the other side of the road to try and get around.”

Another business in the vicinity, who didn’t want to be named, is concerned on-street parking has been taken away, potentially impacting the largely elderly or mobility impaired clientele.

All 16 candidates standing in the Hamilton East city council by-election were asked for their thoughts on the newly built in-lane bus stops.

They were also quized on what they would do about them if they were successfully elected on Saturday.

Fourteen replied - most opposed in-lane bus stops.

Only Roger Stratford was supportive. He would like to see more of them, stating they’re a safer way to embark and disembark.

“Other road users should wait patiently behind the bus for it to move on, unless there are extra road lanes for them to pass.

'Please let the bus go first, has long been ignored by motorists. It's time to give public transport priority over private motor vehicles.“

Jono Ng, meanwhile, said the proposed changes are aiming to make it safer for the community while providing more accessibility for alternative means of transport.

Fellow candidate Anna Smart is opposed to in-lane bus stops, especially on commuter roads.

“If any other driver was to stop the flow of traffic to let people in or out of the car they'd be ticketed. It just defies common sense.”

She said the city is a small business economy that needs to keep moving.

“The city doesn't need more traffic jams and I fail to see how creating them does anything to enhance the environment.”

Smart would support painting over the lines, but it would have to be balanced against fiscal prudence.

Tim McIndoe had similar sentiments. He believes the in-lane stops cause more problems than they solve.

He said the council is anticipating a $75 million deficit in the next financial year, and council debt is already above $850 million and climbing.

“We need to ensure that prudent decisions are made to avoid making the city’s financial position even worse.“

For Michael West, it’s a social engineering measure designed to frustrate people out of cars.

West prefers the curbside stops “as they have been for years”.

A concern for Jenny Nand is they may prevent emergency services getting through, and while she wouldn’t support any more being built, the cost of removal might not be worth it.

“I oppose any unnecessary spending. The moving of a bus stop at a cost of $700k is just one example of wasteful expenditure.”

Akesel Bech doesn’t want to be elected, but is campaigning to raise the public awareness on affordable housing.

He said public transport is an important part of what makes a city and wider urban environment function well for its people.

“Personally I would rather the money spent on more frequent bus services, leaving existing bus stops as they are.”

The newer in-lane bus stops should be removed, John McDonald said.

“The newer types of in-lane bus stops are designed to unnecessary block the road … Restoring our main road network, through the removal of these in-lane bus stops as well as the raised platforms, should be a priority.“

The in-lane stops are “a disaster waiting to happen according to Tania Temoni-Syme.

She’s concerned a disabled person disembarking could be hit by a passing e-bike, bicycle, or scooter.

“I would want to get rid of in-lane bus stops, put money into fixing our potholes, and local roads that urgently need fixing.”

Idling vehicles behind buses will contribute to higher pollution levels, Leo Liu said.

He would consult with experts, community and stakeholders to explore viable alternatives.

“This might include the development of dedicated bus lanes where feasible, or the creation of pull-out bus bays.”

Richard Brister said the question to be asked is, what problem is the city council trying to solve?

He would like to see properly built, fit for purpose designed bus stops.

“Bus stops that are built once, built right and only at a pace that money allows without taking on any more debt or causing spiking rates increases.”

Jose Gonzalez feels the current bus stops could have been delivered differently.

“Ideally in-lane bus stops would be considered on multi-lane roads, where the in-lane bus stop can take the outside lane … I am not fully convinced that the travel time savings from the buses, and for passengers not having to merge into traffic outweighs the disbenefits added delays to car journeys.”

Tony Tang said it puts pressure on elderly and disabled passengers.

“In-lane bus stops will give them the pressure of getting on or off the bus faster, potentially creating hazards to these people.”

Jacobus Gielen doesn’t want the existing ones removed.

“We have to work in some how in practising safer driving for cars, cyclists and buses even scooters need to share cycleways to avoid accidents on the footpaths.”

The Hamilton City Council said in-lane bus stops are not new to Hamilton or other centres, with their suitability considered on a case-by-case basis.