"SuperMaxx" is an effective, low cost, affordable, integrated,
public transport system for Auckland which can commence within 6 months.
By maximising efficiency of public transport routes 30% more passengers can be carried with approximately 200 less buses on the road leading to far less pollution and congestion.
"Supermaxx" is a time based fare system offering 2 hour, 1 day, 7 day, and 30 day electronic passes. Main unit is a 30 day pass for $70 providing unlimited travel on all "Supermaxx" train and bus services in the area bounded by Albany, Papakura, Henderson, Howick. This is a massive cost reduction for most commuters. "Supermaxx" will reduce the subsidies required by $50-$60 million per annum.
It is long past time we took action to bring our transport system into the 21st Century. The original "Supermaxx" proposal was presented to ARC AND ARTA in early 2007. It could have been introduced by November 2007. If it had been introduced then :
** Ratepayers and taxpayers would have saved over $200 million in taxes for operating subsidies.
** Everyone travelling more than 1 stage would have saved huge amounts of money in fares
** Over 200,000 tons of carbon and other pollutants less would have been pumped into our skies.
** Aucklanders would have enjoyed a far more functional public transport system - and the transport fiasco of World Cup opening night would not have happened!
** Integrated bus and train public transport from Wellsford to Waiuku, Helensville and Piha to Beachlands
** Introduction of LOCAL and REGIONAL bus services
** Over 80% of Aucklanders will now be within a 15 minute walk of a "Supermaxx" bus or train stop.
** New REGIONAL 30 day pass for $90 introduced covering all public transport bus and train services within the Supercity boundaries from Wellsford to Waiuku.
1. Find a better programme to provide the best possible public transport for Auckland in the shortest possible time at the lowest possible cost OR
2. Prove that Supermaxx will not work OR
3. Implement SUPERMAXX immediately to cater for the rapidly increasing numbers using public transport through financial stringency. The current minor hugely expensive incremental improvements will not do this.
It is appalling to sit through Auckland Council monthly Transport Committee meetings and hear the procession of local people pleading for usable bus services in their communities such as Mangere, airport services for workers, Campbells Bay Community Association etc and the hypocrisy of Councillors such as Mike Lee and Chris Fletcher who state that they recognise the need and offer sympathy but refuse to order Auckland Transport to provide them. FIX THE PROBLEM COUNCILLORS! The people want action, not sympathy. THE SOLUTIONS ARE EASY AND AVAILABLE AND HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO AUCKLAND'S TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS IN SUPERMAXX.
The answer from Auckland Transport is that they will "review" the services later this year. I offered ARTA in January, 2010 to provide an integrated timetable showing bus and train connections from the city, eastern and southern suburbs to the airport via Papatoetoe (train and bus) and the 380 bus service from Papatoetoe to the airport for the miserly fee of $5,000. This fee (plus printing costs) included providing the timetables within 3 months (could be done in 2 weeks in fact) and placing posters and brochures in all central city accommodation and advising Senior Citizen Gold Card holders that apart from the morning weekday rush hours they can actually travel to and from the airport at no charge to them! ARTA refused the offer and neither they nor their successors in Auckland Transport have even achieved this small victory but continue to pay considerable subsidies for the 380 buses in preference to taking the basic steps to increase patronage and revenue.
Update Monday 5th December. Finally got 15 minutes to present to Council. A stoney silence greeted my presentation on how they could get a much more functional public transport system in Auckland at much reduced costs to commuters and save $50 million a year in operating subsidies. They declined to ask any questions or respond to my challenge above. Mayor Len Brown walked out as I was called to the lecturn to speak! Very sad really!
INTEGRATED TICKETING - There needs to be an urgent independent thorough investigation of the whole integrated ticketing/Thales/Infratil fiasco. How did Infratil (NZ Bus) weasel their HOP card onto their buses when they failed to get the integrated contract? Why is Auckland Transport now paying tens of thousands of dollars to replace Infratil HOP cards? In my estimation over $50 million of ratepayers/taxpayers money has been wasted on this fiasco - and its still not in service!!
AUCKLAND CONGESTION - The city gets more congested by the day which affects all transport - public and private. Auckland Transport are incapable of providing the solutions and are wasting vast sums of money proving it. Auckland Transport is grossly over staffed by at least 200. Sack them and replace them with 20 people who can make quality decisions quickly and save $20 million per year in operating costs. Add that to $50 million savings if SUPERMAXX is introduced and for $70 million a year I will have Auckland as the most free flowing city city in New Zealand, and one of the most free flowing in the world, within 3 years!!
"Paul Mees, who for 10 years has portrayed Auckland to his students at Melbourne Universities as having worst-practice transport systems would rank top of a world league for motorways. But if you compare its public transport with the best in the world it's right down at the bottom, even with the improvements that have already happened"........
"Asked why he was so fascinated by Auckland, Dr Mees said it was because the city was "such an extreme case" in its low public transport use, which accounted for about 6% of trips at the 2006 census compared with more than 20% in Sydney."
Support the businesses and people of Christchurch as they recover from the earthquakes. 4 nights in Christchurch from just $699 share twin (air not included). Depart 25th March, 13th May, 17th June 2012.
ISRAEL AND JORDAN Depart 2nd April, 2012. Features Easter in Jerusalem. Optional extension to Egypt including visit to Al Alamein and ANZAC Day ceremony in Cairo. 2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the Al Alamein battles.
SRI LANKA - Depart 1st July, 2012
8 days touring this beautiful island plus 3 days beach.
Tour supports St Vincents orphanage and school
NORTH KOREA AND BEIJING. 14 days. depart 29 September, 2012.
DISCOVER CHINA - 20 to 24 days. Depart 10th October.
Features Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and 6 day luxury Yangtse cruise from Chongqing to Shanghai. Guilin and Yangshuo extension (24 day tour).
Click CONNOISSEURHOLIDAYS below for details
By maximising efficiency of public transport routes 30% more passengers can be carried with approximately 200 less buses on the road leading to far less pollution and congestion.
"Supermaxx" is a time based fare system offering 2 hour, 1 day, 7 day, and 30 day electronic passes. Main unit is a 30 day pass for $70 providing unlimited travel on all "Supermaxx" train and bus services in the area bounded by Albany, Papakura, Henderson, Howick. This is a massive cost reduction for most commuters. "Supermaxx" will reduce the subsidies required by $50-$60 million per annum.
It is long past time we took action to bring our transport system into the 21st Century. The original "Supermaxx" proposal was presented to ARC AND ARTA in early 2007. It could have been introduced by November 2007. If it had been introduced then :
** Ratepayers and taxpayers would have saved over $200 million in taxes for operating subsidies.
** Everyone travelling more than 1 stage would have saved huge amounts of money in fares
** Over 200,000 tons of carbon and other pollutants less would have been pumped into our skies.
** Aucklanders would have enjoyed a far more functional public transport system - and the transport fiasco of World Cup opening night would not have happened!
"SUPERMAXX" FOR A SUPER CITY
Latest proposal herewith updated February, 2012 Features** Integrated bus and train public transport from Wellsford to Waiuku, Helensville and Piha to Beachlands
** Introduction of LOCAL and REGIONAL bus services
** Over 80% of Aucklanders will now be within a 15 minute walk of a "Supermaxx" bus or train stop.
** New REGIONAL 30 day pass for $90 introduced covering all public transport bus and train services within the Supercity boundaries from Wellsford to Waiuku.
CHALLENGE
My Challenge to Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, Minister of Transport and Prime Minister is to1. Find a better programme to provide the best possible public transport for Auckland in the shortest possible time at the lowest possible cost OR
2. Prove that Supermaxx will not work OR
3. Implement SUPERMAXX immediately to cater for the rapidly increasing numbers using public transport through financial stringency. The current minor hugely expensive incremental improvements will not do this.
It is appalling to sit through Auckland Council monthly Transport Committee meetings and hear the procession of local people pleading for usable bus services in their communities such as Mangere, airport services for workers, Campbells Bay Community Association etc and the hypocrisy of Councillors such as Mike Lee and Chris Fletcher who state that they recognise the need and offer sympathy but refuse to order Auckland Transport to provide them. FIX THE PROBLEM COUNCILLORS! The people want action, not sympathy. THE SOLUTIONS ARE EASY AND AVAILABLE AND HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO AUCKLAND'S TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS IN SUPERMAXX.
The answer from Auckland Transport is that they will "review" the services later this year. I offered ARTA in January, 2010 to provide an integrated timetable showing bus and train connections from the city, eastern and southern suburbs to the airport via Papatoetoe (train and bus) and the 380 bus service from Papatoetoe to the airport for the miserly fee of $5,000. This fee (plus printing costs) included providing the timetables within 3 months (could be done in 2 weeks in fact) and placing posters and brochures in all central city accommodation and advising Senior Citizen Gold Card holders that apart from the morning weekday rush hours they can actually travel to and from the airport at no charge to them! ARTA refused the offer and neither they nor their successors in Auckland Transport have even achieved this small victory but continue to pay considerable subsidies for the 380 buses in preference to taking the basic steps to increase patronage and revenue.
My offer to Auckland Council and Auckland Transport now is that for $100,000 I will provide a completely integrated, totally user friendly network and detailed timetables for the whole Supercity from Wellsford to Waiuku within 30 days! This will provide the services the public are crying out for with local services feeding into transport hubs offering services on main routes every 10 minutes with express services every 20 minutes. The Council say they want these but refuse to provide them. Whether the Council would have the courage to implement them against the vested interests of the bus companies and bureaucrats is another issue.
AUCKLAND PLAN PRESENTATION
I was scheduled by Auckland Council to make a 30 minute presentation on Supermaxx to the Council at 2pm monday 21st November. Friday afternoon 18th November I was told my presentation had been cancelled on the order of two Councillors!!!! Why would they be worried?Update Monday 5th December. Finally got 15 minutes to present to Council. A stoney silence greeted my presentation on how they could get a much more functional public transport system in Auckland at much reduced costs to commuters and save $50 million a year in operating subsidies. They declined to ask any questions or respond to my challenge above. Mayor Len Brown walked out as I was called to the lecturn to speak! Very sad really!
INTEGRATED TICKETING - There needs to be an urgent independent thorough investigation of the whole integrated ticketing/Thales/Infratil fiasco. How did Infratil (NZ Bus) weasel their HOP card onto their buses when they failed to get the integrated contract? Why is Auckland Transport now paying tens of thousands of dollars to replace Infratil HOP cards? In my estimation over $50 million of ratepayers/taxpayers money has been wasted on this fiasco - and its still not in service!!
AUCKLAND CONGESTION - The city gets more congested by the day which affects all transport - public and private. Auckland Transport are incapable of providing the solutions and are wasting vast sums of money proving it. Auckland Transport is grossly over staffed by at least 200. Sack them and replace them with 20 people who can make quality decisions quickly and save $20 million per year in operating costs. Add that to $50 million savings if SUPERMAXX is introduced and for $70 million a year I will have Auckland as the most free flowing city city in New Zealand, and one of the most free flowing in the world, within 3 years!!
EVERY AUCKLANDER SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED!
Paul Mees of the Melbourne Institute of Technology is regarded around the world as one of the guru's of public transport development. The New Zealand Herald on 22nd August, 2011 stated"Paul Mees, who for 10 years has portrayed Auckland to his students at Melbourne Universities as having worst-practice transport systems would rank top of a world league for motorways. But if you compare its public transport with the best in the world it's right down at the bottom, even with the improvements that have already happened"........
"Asked why he was so fascinated by Auckland, Dr Mees said it was because the city was "such an extreme case" in its low public transport use, which accounted for about 6% of trips at the 2006 census compared with more than 20% in Sydney."
TAKE A BREAK - GREAT VALUE SMALL GROUP ESCORTED TOURS.
CANTERBURY CALLS - A Christchurch recovery tourSupport the businesses and people of Christchurch as they recover from the earthquakes. 4 nights in Christchurch from just $699 share twin (air not included). Depart 25th March, 13th May, 17th June 2012.
ISRAEL AND JORDAN Depart 2nd April, 2012. Features Easter in Jerusalem. Optional extension to Egypt including visit to Al Alamein and ANZAC Day ceremony in Cairo. 2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the Al Alamein battles.
SRI LANKA - Depart 1st July, 2012
8 days touring this beautiful island plus 3 days beach.
Tour supports St Vincents orphanage and school
NORTH KOREA AND BEIJING. 14 days. depart 29 September, 2012.
DISCOVER CHINA - 20 to 24 days. Depart 10th October.
Features Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and 6 day luxury Yangtse cruise from Chongqing to Shanghai. Guilin and Yangshuo extension (24 day tour).
Click CONNOISSEURHOLIDAYS below for details
WINTER BREAKAWAY - RAROTONGA AND AITUTAKI
Two of the most beautiful islands on earth
Hosted ex Auckland. Depart June 2 and September 1, 2012.
ELECTION 2011
The election is over. The final results have been declared. Three more years of mediocrity and failure to deal with fundamental issues appear to be lined up. Failure to deal with deep economic, social, and environmental issues were hallmarks of the past government. Will it be better now? There are better solutions to old problems but they will not be introduced by the new government. Will Key deal with the issues of poverty and harm caused by alcohol and other drugs and introduce quality long term solutions? Will he mount the all out international marketing effort we need to help New Zealand cope with a murky future? Will he stop the insane borrowing? Will he protect the ownership of our volcanic cones, foreshore, and seabed in the public domain for all New Zealanders equally? Will he quickly overcome the problems of insurance and resettlement for Christchurch people? Will he deal with any further "Rena" type disasters any better than the tragedy of the "Rena"? Will he have an effective Mines inspectorate in place within months? Will he make referenda binding, or will he treat the wishes of the people with the same contempt as National have in the past?? Will he actually examine better ways ahead in transport (both public and private) to ensure that we are getting the best possible results in the shortest possible time at the lowest possible cost?
THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THE ABOVE IS, ALMOST CERTAINLY, NO!
Is there any comprehensive plan to take New Zealand ahead?
If there is it is the best kept secret in New Zealand!!
A copy of the SUPERMAXX and SUPERMETRO proposals were sent to Gerry Brownlee as new Minister of Transport last December. He finally replied on the 21st February, 2012 shuffling all responsibility for providing the best possible public transport at the lowest possible cost in the shortest possible time in Auckland and Christchurch onto Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. Great leadership Gerry. All of the foregoing have proven they are incapable of providing it!
A classic example of small minded 'tunnel' vision by our local and central government politicians is the mad obsession with continuing with the $3 billion Auckland rail tunnel project at vast expense before examining the new technology options such as SKYCABS that would make New Zealand world leaders in new technology public transport. We will never develop our economy or get close to catching Australia with such retrogade thinking!
On the 7th February, 2012 the New Zealand Herald published an article by Steven Joyce, Minister for Economic Development, Science and Innovation, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment stating the obvious that " we need an environment that is encouraging to entrepreneurs, we need to develop business opportunities etc etc. When I asked him on the 9th February whether it was not hypocritical to make those statements when he refused for 3 years as Minister of Transport to test out Supermaxx and Skycabs (and implement them when proven) he replied that he had referred the questions to Gerry Brownlee as new Minister of Transport (see above - he has since said "not my problem"!). I requested by return that he answer the questions as Minister for Economic Development innovation etc. He has not replied as at 25th February. His article was headed 'EACH TIME WE SAY "YOU CAN'T IT CARRIES SOME COST". His refusal to examine SUPERMAXX and SKYCABS has huge costs for this nation.
A government corruptly formed through a gerrymander in Epsom and Ohariu can hardly be expected to operate at the highest levels of probity and competence!
I think there are much better ways to run this country and that is why I stood for Parliament last year. I believe our economy and social fabric are disintegrating, in part because of world events, in part because we are not addressing the issues with long term solutions. During my 6 years at sea in the merchant navy if we knew a severe storm was coming we prepared the ship to cope by checking all operating systems, making sure the cargo was secure, clearing the decks,and rigging lifelines through the companionways for the safety of passengers and crew. We as a nation are cruising into danger. We need to change course to minimise damage, and prepare the country for rough weather ahead.
Stephen Greenfield
The Conservative Party did extremely well to go from nothing to 2.8% of the Party vote in 4 short months but unfortunately has not made it to Parliament. Next election we intend to be there to bring innovative quality solutions to the problems which this government tries to 'quick fix' with band aids. Why not get involved and get a better government?
For details of how I think this country could be run better see below.
DON'T BLAME MAORI FOR THE VEXATIOUS CLAIMS ON OUR WATER, AIRWAVES, SEABED AND FORESHORE, OR FOR THE OUTRAGEOUS TRANSFER OF THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF ALL NEW ZEALANDERS EQUALLY ON THE VOLCANIC CONES OF AUCKLAND TO A SMALL SELECT GROUP OF IWI. Put the responsibility directly where it belongs on the racist, separatist, unjust politicians such as Key and Finlayson who have continued the separatist path accelerated by Bolger and Graham and continued by successive politicians. Click on the POLITICAL button below to get the full story.
TRANSPORT ISSUES
SUPERMAXX AND SKYCABS - THE FUTURE OF AUCKLAND'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT!!
* Integrated Ticketing, Central city loop, Airport rail, and much more.AUCKLAND CBD ISSUES
Efficiency of travel through the CBD area is critical to the success of "Supermaxx". There is not too much traffic in the inner city. It just takes too long to get through the mass of traffic lights. Creative solutions are needed to make the CBD area a vastly better place to live, work, shop, and play.THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT FURTHER OUT INTO THE HARBOUR MUST BE STOPPED. There are better ways of improving productivity and keeping a vital port plus a fabulous harbour for the good of all Aucklanders.
CHRISTCHURCH ISSUES - SUPERMETRO FOR THE GARDEN CITY, SKYCABS v LIGHT RAIL, AND REBUILD ISSUES
Christchurch has suffered severely in the earthquakes. Its public transport has been much more efficiently run than Auckland for years however the introduction of SUPERMETRO would save at least $4 million per year in operating subsidies, offer a much more user friendly service and frequent service for residents, and lower costs to users to $70 per month for unlimited travel with a standard pass usable in Auckland (if Supermaxx introduced) as well as Christchurch.
SUPERMETRO was presented to Environment Canterbury over 3 years ago. I offered to help them after the earthquakes. A presentation was made to the whole Christchurch City Council city rebuild plan which received a favourable response - then they allocate $4 million to investigate a $405 million light rail track from the CBD (which no longer exists)to the University when a SKYCABS track from the CBD to the airport via Addington, Riccarton Mall, and the University would cost around $200 million. Dysfunctional and bizarre does not begin to describe it!
P.S. I was able to walk the cordon on the 21st February. All I see is tremendous opportunity for an absolutely fabulous new city!!
PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PARTY CENTRAL FIASCO, 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2011
We are not victims of our own success Mayor Brown, as you stated on the 10th September, we are victims of the gross incompetence of Auckland Transport and Auckland Council!
AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE WALK
It is possible to have regular access to Auckland Harbour bridge.AUCKLAND SUPERCITY ELECTION 2010CONGRATULATIONS LEN BROWN AND YOUR NEW COUNCIL
7 CHALLENGES FOR YOU TO FACE!!!
NATIONAL ISSUES
These are challenging times. For decades we have been undermining the foundations of society in the environmental, social, economic, and spiritual areas - every facet of a flourishing society. Now we are reaping what we have sown. Until we face up to some basic facts and rebuild the foundations we will not live in the quality society we wish to.Stephen Greenfield
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