Last night's 8.45pm ex-Auckland sailing on the Wanderer puttered all the way at half speed to North Head when the captain made a sudden 180 degree turnaround and started puttering back to town.
No announcement from the bridge, nor the staff (probably too busy selling day-old fish curries - man, did that stuff stink up the cabin!).
It took the effort of a passenger (Go, Nancy!) to find out from upstairs what the hell was going on and she relayed the bad news that the power basically had failed (hence the no audio on the ship's tannoy) and that we were on our way back to town.
Then suddenly the engines kicked in at full force and they decided to make another 180 degree turn and continue to Waiheke. Only 20 minutes late.
It was a serious dereliction of staff duty, I reckon, when they annoyingly and cloyingly announce at the start of each sailing that "you are to remain calm, seated and await instructions from your crew". If it had been a serious emergency, we would still be none the wiser.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The vine hopper
Fullers launched a new bus service on Waiheke, the Vineyard Hopper Bus, but the route and frequency are only aimed at tourists who don't want to drink and drive to and from vineyard tasting rooms and restaurants. It's of little use to locals wanting to get around by public transport. This remains still very much a challenge.
An all-day pass on the Vineyard Hopper is $20, while on normal Waiheke buses it's $8. It says nowhere that there is integration between the services and tickets, so I hope Fullers makes it clear beforehand to passengers their $20 pass isn't valid on other buses or drivers should prepare for some irate (nay, even drunk irate) customers. And Supergold Cardies can't use theirs either.
It looks very much all part of a plan to re-position Fullers as a tourism company instead of a public transport provider.
An all-day pass on the Vineyard Hopper is $20, while on normal Waiheke buses it's $8. It says nowhere that there is integration between the services and tickets, so I hope Fullers makes it clear beforehand to passengers their $20 pass isn't valid on other buses or drivers should prepare for some irate (nay, even drunk irate) customers. And Supergold Cardies can't use theirs either.
It looks very much all part of a plan to re-position Fullers as a tourism company instead of a public transport provider.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Scrooge running NZ Bus
The Christmas tradition of free bus travel in Auckland came abruptly to an end this year when posters in buses announced a reduced timetable service, plus no free travel as normal fares apply on the day.
NZ Bus blames the economic situation this year and one must not be a heartless cynic suggesting it's aimed to clawback some losses from the lock out earlier in the year, perish the thought. NZ Bus has a 20% return on capital to recover for Infratil, after all, so no more festive rides, thank you very much.
Needless to say Christmas traditions have never been Fullers forte: I can't remember there ever being any festive cheer in the form of discounted travel on the ferry or the Waiheke bus at Christmas.
NZ Bus blames the economic situation this year and one must not be a heartless cynic suggesting it's aimed to clawback some losses from the lock out earlier in the year, perish the thought. NZ Bus has a 20% return on capital to recover for Infratil, after all, so no more festive rides, thank you very much.
Needless to say Christmas traditions have never been Fullers forte: I can't remember there ever being any festive cheer in the form of discounted travel on the ferry or the Waiheke bus at Christmas.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Auckland Octopus on the cards
From the ARTA press release:
We will have to make sure that Fullers Waiheke service and the Waiheke Bus is included in the system.
Read more about Hong Kong's Octopus card system here.
A useful background to the proposed Auckland system, and an opportunity to discuss it can be found here. But feel free to discuss the Waiheke situation and place in the system here.
To kick off here are some ideas:
1. The Super Gold Card concessions should become integrated too with the Auckland Oyster. This will provide a much better audit trail than we have now where transport companies simply push a button to collect the fare off the Government, no checks on validity can be made as Gold Cards are not linked to fare tickets issued (the last 12 months have been a gold mine for bus and train and ferry companies, with so much suspected abuse and fraud by transporters going on that now plans are in train to limit the fare concessions to the off peak hours only)
2. Why not set up ARTA as a “Pharmac for public transport”, i.e. a bulk purchaser of public transport on the passenger’s behalf? Fares could then be set as a flat fare (or even free for Auckland City residents) for a yearly card.
3. I have personally major concerns, as a Waiheke Islander, that our local transport monopoly provider will do all it can to avoid fare capping or charge a fare comparable to other (subsidised) zones in the city. Fullers has been re branding itself as a tourist service instead of a public transport service with boats routinely taken out of commuter service to ply the charter trade. Commuters are seen as a useful nuisance (as a good cashflow provider in winter) but the $32 return tourists and dirty weekenders are Fullers real market. The Oyster system needs to make sure that ALL transport modes in Auckland are included with the same terms and conditions.
4. A useful price comparison: in Switzerland the national railways company offers an annual season ticket valid on all trains and local transport (buses and trams) in most cities and regions for the price of 3,100 Swiss Francs (NZ$2,250). 12 monthly passes on Fullers cost NZ$3,780.
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), in conjunction with its partner Thales and its funders the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the Auckland Regional Council (ARC), today signed the contract to deliver a super transport ticket for Auckland. The ticket will be Auckland and New Zealand’s first, true multi-modal transport ticket. Thales’ strategic partner of Hong Kong’s leading contact-less smart card payment system, Octopus will supply the core central clearing house system.This is very important news for regular users of public transport in the Auckland region. It is a seamless, electronic ticketing system that lets you use all transport modes at all times for the cheapest fare going, and, hopefully, at a daily/weekly/monthly capped rate. $5 to $10 a day for all your public transport needs sounds about right.
We will have to make sure that Fullers Waiheke service and the Waiheke Bus is included in the system.
Read more about Hong Kong's Octopus card system here.
A useful background to the proposed Auckland system, and an opportunity to discuss it can be found here. But feel free to discuss the Waiheke situation and place in the system here.
To kick off here are some ideas:
1. The Super Gold Card concessions should become integrated too with the Auckland Oyster. This will provide a much better audit trail than we have now where transport companies simply push a button to collect the fare off the Government, no checks on validity can be made as Gold Cards are not linked to fare tickets issued (the last 12 months have been a gold mine for bus and train and ferry companies, with so much suspected abuse and fraud by transporters going on that now plans are in train to limit the fare concessions to the off peak hours only)
2. Why not set up ARTA as a “Pharmac for public transport”, i.e. a bulk purchaser of public transport on the passenger’s behalf? Fares could then be set as a flat fare (or even free for Auckland City residents) for a yearly card.
3. I have personally major concerns, as a Waiheke Islander, that our local transport monopoly provider will do all it can to avoid fare capping or charge a fare comparable to other (subsidised) zones in the city. Fullers has been re branding itself as a tourist service instead of a public transport service with boats routinely taken out of commuter service to ply the charter trade. Commuters are seen as a useful nuisance (as a good cashflow provider in winter) but the $32 return tourists and dirty weekenders are Fullers real market. The Oyster system needs to make sure that ALL transport modes in Auckland are included with the same terms and conditions.
4. A useful price comparison: in Switzerland the national railways company offers an annual season ticket valid on all trains and local transport (buses and trams) in most cities and regions for the price of 3,100 Swiss Francs (NZ$2,250). 12 monthly passes on Fullers cost NZ$3,780.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Bill's suggestion taken on board
Some of us, as noted before, are commuters on the weekend too. Fullers prefers to be a tourist service on the weekend so timetabling is much altered to suit weekenders, holiday and merry makers, and commuters are very much an afterthought when it comes to taking them to town in time.
Now a few weeks ago the 8am weekend sailings from Waiheke have started to call in at Devonport. Heaven (again) knows why since barely anyone got off or on at those stopovers, but results in major delays in getting into Auckland. Since the bus services on the weekend are depleted as well, the connections are even more challenging to get to work on time.
One of my fellow commuters suggested to the captain to make an announcement on board instead asking passengers who want to go to Devonport to make this know to the crew, otherwise they just chug on to Auckland. After some correspondence with Fullers management this has now been taken as policy. Cheers, Bill.
Now a few weeks ago the 8am weekend sailings from Waiheke have started to call in at Devonport. Heaven (again) knows why since barely anyone got off or on at those stopovers, but results in major delays in getting into Auckland. Since the bus services on the weekend are depleted as well, the connections are even more challenging to get to work on time.
One of my fellow commuters suggested to the captain to make an announcement on board instead asking passengers who want to go to Devonport to make this know to the crew, otherwise they just chug on to Auckland. After some correspondence with Fullers management this has now been taken as policy. Cheers, Bill.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The slow boat to Auckland
Every Wednesday (only the Fullers Gods know why) the QuickCat chugs along to eventually do the 8am ex-Waiheke service. The boat never arrives on time and never leaves at 8am, and thus never gets on time to Auckland to connect with the usual other transport modes.
The old lady seems to be knackered, when even Jet Raider can maintain a semblance of meeting a published schedule.
Why they keep flogging QuickCat into doing a service it's obviously not up to is a complete mystery.
The old lady seems to be knackered, when even Jet Raider can maintain a semblance of meeting a published schedule.
Why they keep flogging QuickCat into doing a service it's obviously not up to is a complete mystery.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A buses' graveyard
Getting on the bus from Matiatia home last night yielded some walking exercise for many people as the bus engine died at the Art Works bus stop. The driver had to call in technical assistance, but I and quite a few others didn't hang around to see how it got solved. Waiheke is the confirmed place that buses come to to die.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Integrated ticketing, Fullers-style
As flagged for a while by Fullers, now Waiheke and Half Moon Bay monthly ferry pass holders can use the Howick & Eastern Bus services too. Fullers sale by Infratil to Souter Holdings, owners of the H&E Bus company, last April made this an easy thing to do.
Press release:
It'd be far more relevant if passes were valid on Ritchies instead. (Rumour has it that Infatil is looking at selling NZ Bus, with Ritchies a prime candidate to take it over)
Press release:
Fullers Group Ltd announces a new customer benefit for Waiheke Island and Half Moon Bay commuters. From Tuesday 1st December, the Fullers monthly pass for Waiheke Island and Half Moon Bay will include an additional benefit of being able to travel on all Howick & Eastern Bus services without having to purchase another ticket.How much Waiheke pass holders will use this extra service is questionable because if you worked in East Auckland, you take the Kennedy Point ferry to Half Moon Bay instead of having to come into town first to then trek all the way east on the big brown bus.
The Waiheke Island and Half Moon Bay monthly passes can be used for travel across all Howick and Eastern routes and services at any time. Customers simply need to show their current Fullers monthly pass to the bus driver to so that the journey is recorded and Howick & Eastern can charge the journey back to Fullers.
This initiative is symbolic of Fullers drive towards an integrated fare structure. It is hoped that the benefit will open up a wider opportunity for commuters in the Half Moon Bay area who will now be able to more easily combine bus and ferry travel to and from the city without the requirement for separate tickets.
Waiheke commuters are currently able to use their monthly pass on all Waiheke Island and NZ Bus services and now have the advantage of being able to travel to onward destinations around Auckland served by Howick and Eastern buses.
Douglas Hudson, CEO, Fullers Group says, “Fullers is pleased to be able to offer another product which demonstrates our commitment to integrated ticketing. For many years we have been offering the Go Rider pass which can be used on North Shore – Downtown ferries and NZ Bus services in the Auckland region and we have now seized the opportunity to develop another product which will benefit our Waiheke Island and Half Moon Bay customers."
It'd be far more relevant if passes were valid on Ritchies instead. (Rumour has it that Infatil is looking at selling NZ Bus, with Ritchies a prime candidate to take it over)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
NZ Bus refunds
The NZ Bus lock out last month has resulted in a refund offer from the company to season ticket holders.
Since Fullers Ferries monthly passes include an all-zone monthly bus pass, Waiheke Islanders can apply too. Just fill in your monthly pass number.
If they refuse, email them that Fullers CEO Doug Hudson his company pays NZ Bus for Fullers monthly pass holders using NZ Buses in the city and are thus deserving of a refund like their other customers.
UPDATE 21 November: I got my $25 refund in the bank. Which values the Fullers monthly pass at about $100 a month. Considering it allows travel the equivalent of an All-Zone NZ Bus pass (at $175) Fullers gets a substantial discount on NZ Bus fares.
Since Fullers Ferries monthly passes include an all-zone monthly bus pass, Waiheke Islanders can apply too. Just fill in your monthly pass number.
If they refuse, email them that Fullers CEO Doug Hudson his company pays NZ Bus for Fullers monthly pass holders using NZ Buses in the city and are thus deserving of a refund like their other customers.
UPDATE 21 November: I got my $25 refund in the bank. Which values the Fullers monthly pass at about $100 a month. Considering it allows travel the equivalent of an All-Zone NZ Bus pass (at $175) Fullers gets a substantial discount on NZ Bus fares.
Integrated ticketing, funding approved
Via Auckland Transport blog:
Funding approved today for Auckland’s integrated ticketing systemWe will have to make sure that Waiheke Island's transport is included in the system, and at equitable rate as other Aucklanders living the same distance from the CBD.
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) says it is delighted the New Zealand Transport Agency Board (NZTA) has approved funding today to move forward on the development of an integrated ticketing and fares system for Auckland’s train, bus and ferry users.
ARTA’s Chairman, Rabin Rabindran says, “ARTA is delighted with this news which means we can now move to finalise contract negotiations with our preferred tenderer, a consortium made up of French electronics company, Thales, in partnership with the Bank of New Zealand and Transfield services.
“This is a critical and long awaited next step for Auckland’s public transport system doing away with a multiplicity of ticket options and opening the door to greater ease of use for our customers with a single ticket.
“For ARTA an integrated ticket is a pivotal investment in the future development of Auckland as a city which ultimately wants to stand on the international stage as having world-class levels of transport in all respects.
“The next step in the process is for ARTA to negotiate the terms of the contract with its preferred tenderer. Once the contract is signed and commercial negotiations finalised, we will be able to provide more details. We expect this to be in the coming month.”
Mr Rabindran says, “We look forward to assisting NZTA as they develop a national integrated ticketing system to benefit public transport users throughout New Zealand through our delivery of an integrated ticket for Aucklanders”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)