Use of buses

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 16

Use of buses

Sir, —1 must condemn strongly the proposals put forward as a transport policy by the Values Party. A policy of restricting cars in the centre of the city can only mean the death of that city —and this we cannot afford. Christchurch does not' have a traffic problem, and if it ever does the problem will be solved by the construction of motorways. I suggest that either the Values Party rethink its entire approach to transport, or that the public vote instead for parties whose policies have been successful. Where individual freedoms are at stake, as they are with the Values Party’s proposals, the public must vote “no.”—Yours, etc., J. P. CARLAW. July 3, 1977.

Sir, —At last someone has come up with a sensible transport policy for Christchurch. The Values Party’s

proposals for the Christchurch Transport Board and the City Council are straightforward, commonsense ideas that should have been implemented years ago. At last a party has recognised the folly of building cities around motor vehicles, and has come out with a policy which emphasises people and aesthetics. All praise, too, to “The Press” for the coverage given to these proposals. They deserve further explanation. With so much doom and gloom about, it would make a welcome change.—Yours, etc., C. SMITH. July 2, 1977. Sir,—Visiting Toronto, while living in the privatecar oriented province of Ontario, Canada. I did not park my car in the central city area because of the excellent incentives not to do so — traffic congestion, high parking fees, efficient, regular public transport using a onefare transfer system, which required correct change or reuseable tokens. Providing passage from the doorstep to the regular public transport going straight to the city from up to 30 miles out was “dial-a-bus” service. As a grateful user of this service for two years, I see great promise in the Values Party's transport policy which, by providing for more pedestrian malls, less noise and air pollution, and safer cycling, could make down-town activities more pleasant. — Yours, etc.,

GAY MARTYN. June 30, 1977.

Sir, —Increased patronage of the buses will not result from an advertising campaign alone. The Values Party has recognised this in its transport and traffic proposals (“The Press,” June 30). Banning cars from the central city would achieve two things. First, the profitability of central city business would increase as the city became a more desirable place to work and shop. Second, public transport would provide the most convenient access to this pleasant shopping environment. Increased patronage of the buses is not only desirable for the board’s finances, but it is also vital to decrease unnecessary use of private cars, which waste petrol and are a major cause of innercity air pollution. The Values transport plan has a great deal to commend it. The Transport Board, City Council and local body electors should consider it carefully. —Yours, etc.,

P. T. McMAHON. July 2, 1977.