This week we have a representative from the Greater Christchurch Forum and James Caygill from Waka Kotahi talking about transportation and roading options in Canterbury.
It is fundamental that we plan many things beyond current local government boundaries. One major issue is transportation. This affects us all. It’s a shame that transportation has become a football for central government politicians to scrap over. However, before we challenge these politicians we need to be clear on what we expect our transport options to be.
I am fed up with CCC councillors, and some community board members, playing games with cycle initiatives. Get on your bikes you critics and see how good it is with clearly defined cycle ways.
Come and bring you ideas and questions to discuss this topic with the rest of us.
The two most efficient surface transportation modes are light rail (light being the operative word, and free too) and bicycles. These should be core to Christchurch’s future. But there is so much more wrong with present foci – mobility rather than access being the most egregious. Fleets (taxis, vans, buses) should be converted. People First should determine policy. Meeting with the Mayor of Dunedin soon, I’ll be discussing an appropriate scale and simple tram system of 2 – 3 lines. In earlier work, I outlined 5 – 6 lines for Christchurch. Funding should be considered a strategic investment. Municipal enterprise should sell long-term fixed interest Tram Bonds. Government should use its ability to create almost unlimited money to fund social projects with massive payback like light rail and contribute to a national initiative. I shall also be discussing Modern Monetary Theory (MMT aka magic money tree) and a supplementary internal currency. Locally made trams would provide the best value. Each tram creates 7 high-quality jobs. (consultant, former deputy-chair of the Christchurch Transport Board). PS Avoid highways.
thanks Neil for trying to get your head around all this and find a way forward!
I think the first transport option to be implemented should be commuter trains; Amberley to Dunsandel (or Ashburton?) and Lyttelton to Darfield already has 3 ft 6 in track which is the same as many commuter rail lines in Japan. About half of the tracks are not electrified so probably use diesel trains. The possibility of buying second hand trains and their suitability for NZ tracks from Japan should be investigated as a way to get inexpensive commuter trains for a trial in Canterbury.