Two Wainui reps on new transport group

By Frank Neill

Community Board member Tamsyn Harker and Linsey Higgins are the two Wainuiomata members of the new Public Transport Advisory Group (PTAG).

The aim of the PTAG is to inform both Metlink and the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) Transport Committee on issues relating to public transport.

Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie says he is “delighted” to have these “superb” people joining him “in the mission to fix and supercharge our public transport system.

“Tamsyn and Linsey will be strong and smart advocates for supercharging public transport for Wainuiomata.

“Council is confident that cancellations will progressively reduce over coming months, as dozens of new bus drivers enter the local workforce.

“Despite the current unreliability, patronage is trending up as more people find buses and trains a convenient and very affordable way to get around.

“Once we restore reliability of current services, council can look closely at increasing frequency and expanding routes.

“Top of my list are direct bus routes from Wainuiomata to the hospital, Petone and Wellington.

“Wainuiomata is a large and growing suburb, and it needs and deserves more and better public transport options,” Cr Duthie says.

“I’m excited to get into this mahi and see what we can achieve,”

Tamsyn Harker says.

GWRC appointed the initial 23 members of the new PTAG at its meeting on 30 March and the new group will hold its first meeting on 20 April.

Of the 23, 22 were members of the public, and Regional Councillor Simon Woolf was appointed as the GWRC representative. Around 60 people applied for a position on the group. There is room for up to 30 people on the PTAG, and GWRC and Metlink will continue to receive membership applications. They are particularly seeking people to represent the following perspectives: with a composed finish in the 60th minute.

The game went up another level with tackles flying in, red cards being shown and Greg Agius in between the posts for Wainui being called upon several times to keep the scores level. However neither team could break the 4-4 deadlock.

From 4-1 down to 4-4, the reserves showed immense determination and belief.

The premier’s next game is against Wellington Phoenix Thirds at Fraser Park at 12 noon while the reserves play Western Suburbs at Endeavour Park at 2:30pm. Both games are on 15 April.