Madeleine Chapman reflects on a week of dark reading.
Nothing in life is free. Everyone knows that. But for eight months happy, my journey was. After closing the Mount Eden station for almost a decade to rebuild it, Auckland Transport eventually opened a new frequent bus route (64) to connect stations on both sides through Mount Eden. Because technically it was replacing the train, I didn’t have a load.
“During the construction period, we are also releasing the 64 service, recognizing the inconvenience of the station’s closure for residents and passengers in the region,” said a gate in 2020, when the route was opened.
So, because bus 64 is free, I get it.
I grew up in a house where the rudeness was considered to ask for anything. In fact, the fastest way to ensure that you would not receive anything was to ask immediately (instead of waiting and waiting for it to be offered). It was also considered slightly rude to accept offers from other people. This approach is common in Pacific families, and although it is not the cause of any systemic problem, it is useful to keep in mind alongside the fact that Pacific women are the most poorly paid demographics in New Zealand.
All this is to say that nowadays I’m much more comfortable asking for things, but I still prefer an offer. So when something seems remotely like one, I accept. This means ashamed my partner with how quickly I will carry the free chocolate in an open house and now taking the 64 bus every day, even if I am only in it for five stops.
As the cost of everything increases and up and it seems that every purchase has a rate that has a surcharge, setting up the free bus* 64 looked like a genuine gift every day. It was a view of public transport without fees, where buses were frequented by people traveling on the road or escaping the heat. He didn’t let me resent to pay for the other longer routes, but it was a lovely bonus when I needed to stop at home for some purchases and didn’t want to pay twice the tariff.
Last week, despite the inconvenience in progress of the train station still being closed, Auckland Transport announced that, from April 27, the 64 bus would charge a standard fare. Why? Presumably, due to a request from NZTA’s advice at the end of last year to increase user rates on public transport.
Someone must have analyzed the tag-on numbers and calculated how much extra recipe could generate charging for each trip. But what they may not consider is how many people have chosen public transportation why The 64 was free. I considered an AT loss leader and both malls (Newmarket and St. Luke) who reserved the route. Did anyone ask Westfield if he wanted to subsidize the 64? Whatever the thought, I will miss one of the few free gifts in Auckland, and I suspect that Route 64 is about to be much more empty.
On April 28, I will be enjoying a clear fall walk to work.
* Until the free bus is not really free. It costs a penny per trip.
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This week behind the story
How is the TV broadcast in New Zealand now?
As The Spinoff’s main local TV writer, Tara Ward spends a good part of her time thinking about what’s on our screens and why. This year he had a roar beginning, with great television counters returning, such as compensation, white and created lotus tale, as well as new creators of trends such as adolescence. Tara joins me behind the story to talk about the old favorites and the current state of transmission television in New Zealand.
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