[!ai]
Focuses primarily on bus service improvements, particularly reinstating free buses for schoolchildren (opposing the current council’s decision to charge despite 90% submission opposition), and addressing reliability issues with only 50% of buses arriving on time. She criticises lack of consultation with Mosgiel residents about service changes and emphasises councillors need to listen more to the community rather than simply accepting staff recommendations.
Dear Devonia,
Thank you for the opportunity to share with Spokes Dunedin.
I have interpreted your question not as a 'how would you like the world to be a better place? ’ question but a what would you actually do about it if you were elected question.
The ORC has a major role in the buses in Dunedin.
For buses to be used more, which is something I support, buses need to be timely and affordable.
Recently current ORC councillors have voted to reinstate charging schoolchildren for their travel. This despite 90% of submissions being against this. For those families who have not got a spare $600 per child per year this is likely to reduce but usage and be a barrier to attending school for some. I will vote to reinstate free buses for school children, starting with during school terms. So will the rest of my team, Vision Otago.
Buses are also not reliable. If have recently been making enquiries of staff at the ORC and it turns out only 50% of buses arrived on time in the last year. Mosgiel residents are unhappy about the new service there, which has problems which could have totally been foreseen if the users of the buses had been consulted beforehand.
Councillors need to get involved in the provision of bus services, not just take whatever staff tell them and tick it off.
I would consider that to earn your keep as a councillor you should be listening more to the community and take responsibility for getting involved in the problems which show the buses have list their way.
Kind regards,
Hilary Calvert