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Board votes to revisit bus trial funding targets

funding the on-demand bus service trial or continue with it. However, Wagstaff said they were not trying to cancel the bus trial, just take a closer look at what was best for the community, and he put forward the alternative recommendation of pausing the trial to investigate further options for improving road surfaces and alternative on-demand buses.

local projects.

However, in the end, all members said that if Warkworth members wanted to revisit how their targeted rate money could be spent, they would support them, and Wagstaff’s amended recommendations were passed unanimously.

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Carmichael said the original decision to fund the trial last year seemed rushed and this was an attempt to remedy that and make the best-informed decision on how best to spend the money. She also hoped there could be flexibility for AT to use local contractors to improve local roads and drains, as well as providing good, flexible public transport options that were equitable with the rest of Auckland.

“I’m kind of getting sick and tired of Rodney being the low-class citizen in our city,” she said.

Several board members expressed concern at the extra delay this process was creating to get any work underway, and warned that whatever was decided, it would all take time. Others wanted reassurance that if money went to AT, it would be spent on

Sue Brodziak and Glyn Williams spoke in favour of on-demand buses.

When Ivan Wagstaff first proposed taking another look at the on-demand bus trial, Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey contacted several from page1 community groups who supported it and encouraged them to make a deputation in support of the project.

One of those who responded was the Summerset Falls residents’ group, and members Glyn Williams and Sue Brodziak appeared at last week’s board meeting. They said an on-demand bus would be a lifeline for the 360 residents, many of whom felt trapped because they couldn’t drive.

“Reluctantly, they have to rely on friends, family and expensive taxis, and even those who drive hesitate because of the speed of traffic on Mansel Drive and parking difficulties in town,” Williams said.

The meeting heard that although there was a Summerset shuttle bus, it could only carry 10 people at a time, and other retirement villages, local businesses and One Mahurangi also supported ondemand buses.

Williams said the service would be good for mental and physical health, road safety and the environment, and urged members to continue with the trial.