HERE WE GO AGAIN
When I was little our leaders built a Harbour Bridge with two lanes each way and its architectural significance saw it immediately dubbed “The Coathanger”. Gloating by you ex-convicts not appreciated.
When I was a bit bigger Dad took us to see the massive Japanese factory ships moored under the Bridge while they laboriously bolted two more lanes each way onto The Coathanger, the “clip-ons” making it a really big coathanger. Trucks were not allowed to drive on the clip-ons for ages in case they fell off. The jockeying for postion between trucks, buses and cars on the approaches made for the best entertainment in town and established New Zealanders' penchant for drinking and driving.
Now that I'm really huge our leaders are threatening $6 tolls and ringfencing our CBD to solve the disgraceful traffic congestion we all suffer from decades of myopic planning (see above if I'm being too subtle).
In other words a tax to punish us ( US ???) for clogging up our roads getting to work to pay the petrol tax which the Government does not spend on our roads as they promised but hands out to dolebludgers and sickness beneficiaries to stay at home and not clog the roads.
Unfortunately there is a slight flaw in the logic.
While the models being pushed most enthusiastically are based on London our leaders have forgotten one little thing – it rhymes with boob. Yes, you expats are quick! The Tube.
In Auckland there is no alternative transport apart from the bus and the first new Park and Ride station in Albany is proving a bit of a problem with the North Shore City Council snorting indignantly at the people “from Rodney District” flooding to “their” new Park and Ride and filling it up hopelessly. They even mooted sharp parking fees but resentfully conceded that this was rather defeating the purpose of encouraging public transport.
Where have I seen this before???
Anyway Cityslickers, don't worry. Apart from the fact that I live on the North Shore and have ordered my 5.7l Chrysler 300C which will slurp more gas than my 5.7l Calais and now face a $6 toll to get to work on a bridge we all paid for ages ago there is a light at the end of the non tunnel. Punishing the people without providing an alternative transport scheme will make City Living not just more attractive but a necessity for many. Yes, vacancies will be eliminated, rents start climbing and values will head north. Now wipe that smug smile off your face and think how to profit from all this.
If you can't think of a good idea click on the little blue email address in the top right corner and tell us how much money you have and we'll try to make a suggestion that will make us both happy.
Have a great May.
MARTIN
