Better public passenger transport frequency and reliability lift service quality for custom and revenue, to feed further improvement. 2019 is prime time to speak up for these again, so where should priority be placed? For fresh ideas and good debate, see facebook.com/ChristchurchTransport and watch this space. Also christchurchtransportcommunityservices.wordpress.com

Two years back when seeking election, Labour commits to Christchurch commuter rail in $100m package (Stuff, 22 Jun 2017). Now that Labour runs parliament as well as city council, do the promises ring true? A test case is presented with New ‘affordable’ urban neighbourhood proposed for Christchurch rail yards, so will it fly? (Stuff, 2 Sep 2019) …

Our involvement with rail advocacy began in 2011, through Sustainable Canterbury meetings. Some advice on rail development options was obtained, in the post-earthquake, post-ECan-democracy context.

Since that time, the research and organising work of Tane Apanui has led debate and interactions with councils, who turn the rail proposals down due to cost etc. Refs: Dash Rail The man behind the train campaign (Star, 31 Mar 2017), Christchurch commuter rail scheme’s fundraiser flops, champion still committed (Stuff, 26 Apr 2017) & Public Transport Users’ Association Christchurch – Govt ‘lip service’ to concerns about Chch commuter rail (RNZ, 28 January 2019).

Good collaboration between district and regional councils is essential for improving transport issues – to this Community Voice is highly committed. With more candidates elected to more boards and councils, there would be more hope of this – instead of the deadlock, gridlocks and stagnation we currently face in Christchurch city recovery.

Bus-ways and stops, effectively built up, are a must e.g, with route and timetable improvements too.