Public services need servicing
Disruption to Wellington rail services and inaccurate bus timetabling are making it difficult for Victoria University students to get to lectures on time.
Students who rely on the bus service to get to university are unhappy with the discrepancy between timetabled information and the actual arrival time of buses.
An hour at the Kelburn campus bus stop at midday on Monday 15 March saw buses often arriving between 3 and 9 minutes late.
Victoria University student Sabina Kaminski-Pritchett has missed lectures because of the unreliable service. “Often the number 18 just doesn’t show up and there have been a couple of times when I have waited and two in a row haven’t come, or come 20 minutes late—useless.”
Students are also affected by the $500 million upgrade to Wellington’s rail network that has been in process for over a year, and will not be completed for at least another.
The construction required to upgrade a rail infrastructure neglected by its previous Australian owners has caused frequent and serious disruption to the service.
In July 2009 two trains collided with steel structures that were constructed prematurely, delaying trains for thousands of passengers. In February this year a train hit an overhanging power line, affecting the service for three days and again leaving thousands of commuters stranded or late for school or work.
Less serious incidents have been frequent, with passengers reporting lengthy delays and dissatisfaction with the bus replacements.
Victoria University student Miriam Kavermann travels frequently to Masterton and is unhappy with paying the same price as a rail ticket for a bus journey that takes 30 minutes longer.“It’s fucking expensive.”
A 2009 survey of 750 Wellington residents conducted by Metlink revealed that 95 per cent of those questioned believed that reliability is the key issue for public transport users. The same survey revealed that only 54 per cent of the group found public transport in Wellington reliable.
Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport and Access Committee, states on the Metlink website that “Major changes are underway but unfortunately they will not happen overnight. Real time information is well and truly on the way; we are about to sign a contract with a supplier to design and introduce a Real Time Information system. This will tell people, via display screens, mobile phones and the internet, when their next bus or train is actually due.”
These changes will be welcomed by Sabrina Kaminski-Pritchett. “Obviously a girl doesn’t want to WALK up and ruddy up her complexion!”
If you use public transport and find yourself sitting at the bus stop during an exam, you need to get in contact with your Faculty Student Administration Office. If you miss an in-class test you need to contact your course coordinator. Contact details for the individual faculties are online at www.vuw.ac.nz.
Recent Comments