Just another complaint about Auckland’s Public Transport

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Auckland Public Transport has a pretty bad reputation – possibly the worst in the country. And having dealt with it for almost three years now, I get it. Buses not arriving on time, reckless driving, refusing to let people on when they’re a split second late – the list continues

Before I dedicate a whole post to inconsiderate bus drivers, I want to mention that a lot of them are ok. They’re respectful and know what they need to do. But when you get dealt a shitty bus-driver, it really can spoil your day, especially when you’re in a wheelchair and need a tad bit more assistance.

Three things are required of a bus driver from wheelchair-bound passengers – to lower the bus, to unfold the ramp and to lift the seat in the 4-seated area. Some do this happily, others just do what they need to do but some are clear in showing me through the look on their face how much inconvenience I’m causing them.

I kind of get their reluctance. Goodness knows how many people walk over that little lever-thing (this is the scientific term for it by the way) everyday and how unhygienic it must be, especially for the amount they get paid to do that, which really is a useless excuse for a wage. No one really ‘wants’ to do that and I can empathise with that. But how exactly is this my fault? Seriously, all I want to do is get to and from uni. Why do you have to look at me like I’m the one who designed the buses for the sole purpose of inflicting this nightmare on you? Because if I had my way, the system would be completely different.

Everyone knows of that time when the driver sped off while an elderly person or a parent with a pram wasn’t yet seated. One time I had a driver who wouldn’t let me on the bus because I would be a burden on her. Another said it’s not their job to get up and help and that I’m supposed to have someone with me. Then of course there was that story recently where the train took off while a lady in a wheelchair was only halfway off. Yea. I’ll just let that sink in. Also, how can such inconsiderate people get away with such disrespectful behaviour?

That’s not even half the story though. When you e-mail MAXX to complain, you’ll be lucky to even get a response, not that the response in even constructive in any way. Oh, you’re sorry? Well, that just solves everything.

Some drivers are so friendly. They’re chatty, smiley and crack jokes. It’s refreshing but I’m not going to demand that every single bus driver have a good sense of humour and a permanent grin on their face. I’m not expecting us to become best friends, especially in the ridiculous hours of a Monday morning when no one should be allowed to talk.

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All I want is respect and I think this is what this whole thing boils down to. Respect is reciprocal and completely necessary for the healthy functioning of society. Bus drivers across the country deserve a decent wage for transporting 98% of the city to their destination. And people who use public transport or any service deserve to have their needs catered to so they don’t have to worry about being made to feel like a ‘burden’.

7 COMMENTS

  1. People living in Auckland are engaged in a psychotic race towards their own demise.

    When the monetary system collapses, when the energy system fails and when the industrialised food system fails, the roads will be largely empty.

    Till then, the insanity associated with attempting to live in a large industrial city will get progressively worse.

  2. Latifa – sorry to hear about your experiences.

    You have “only” had 3 years of experiences with Auckland’s public transport? I have had over 20 years of that, I can confess.

    Yes, there are many issues, and some may be to do with certain individual drivers, but others are certainly the unreasonable expectations their employer places on them, which has led to bus companies struggling to get drivers and have them stay with them.

    Timetables are often impossible to keep by, as they give insufficient consideration on traffic density and hold ups at various times. Many buses are still very old and uncomfortable ones, hard to drive also.

    The ticketing system is still not up to scratch, cash fare handling is cumbersome and difficult, traffic itself is stressful, and driving split shifts and endless hours, also facing some troublesome passengers, unfriendly other drivers and more, it is a job few would love to do.

    So it is perhaps worth to appreciate the remaining, admirably still friendly drivers, that take us from A to B.

    Auckland public transport has a long way to go to offer services that are common standard in many other developed countries. But we know also, for most it is still the individual motor vehicle that trumps all, and as long as insufficient funds and resources are put into further improvements, every trip on every day remains to be a challenge.

  3. When you e-mail MAXX to complain, you’ll be lucky to even get a response…

    Really, I get a response even when I tick the do not respond box and, yeah, their apology wasn’t exactly honest. Personally, I would prefer them to using the time to fix the problems that I identify than to ring me up with an apology that a) isn’t going to make a bit of difference, b) is self-centred and c) uses an explanation that sounds remarkably like an excuse.

  4. ….end then you have these drivers: Apologizing for a wheelchair bound elderly man on K-road over-bridge because you haven’t got a ramp because your bus is to old and not suited for wheelchairs. ringing control to let “all” the other drivers know there is a wheelchair bound person waiting for the next bus to View-road Henderson. Getting a nice response from another driver going his way with: “Yeah mate, i’ll take him home” ……Why do we never get complaints about this???? Because nobody is listening to the good news!!!! Ta, Your friendly bus-driver Nico….

    • Yep, was impressed the other week when a tourist got lost and the bus driver helped get her to where she wanted to go.

  5. Buses not arriving on time due to an unrealistic time-table should not be the drivers fault. How is it that AT moved the starting point for North Star buses from outside the civic on queen street to Mayoral drive that added time to the trip but none was added to any schedule? Yes it’s not your fault the design of the wheel chair ramp is like it is nor is the bus driver responsible – some find it difficult to operate if they have a sore back for instance… funny how all the people I’ve picked up with wheel chairs refuse help and are offended… we can’t win!

  6. I think that all the complaints people have made about this article ignore the fact that Latifa has a.) said above that she sympathises with drivers less than satisfactory working conditions, and b.) acknowledges that most bus drivers are incredibly helpful; BUT that there are exceptions that she’s faced with from time to time. Given that her work is dedicated to the experiences of wheelchair bound person, I think she’s given an amazingly well written account of issues she faces, and a lesson in empathy we can all be reminded of from time to time.

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