Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL / LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The dream of MRT in Christchurch is fantastic but fanciful. While I wait, give me a better bus network.

We’ve been talking about it for years, the Green Party campaigned on it in 2023, the greater Christchurch councils have made a business case for it. A light rail network for the wider Christchurch area is a wonderful thought. Being able to travel rapidly across the city’s main meridian and parallel is what Ōtautahi needs to give it some chance at redemption from (sub)urban hell. 

As attractive as the final product may sound, I don’t want to wait ten, fifteen, twenty years for efficient transit. If we ever do get the proposed MRT line, I’ll be thrilled, but I have many journeys and commutes to make before I’m middle-aged.

Ecan operate a comprehensive bus network; the number 1 and 5 bus routes, which operate at ‘high’ frequency, cover the scope of the proposed MRT line. We can quickly prove the concept of the efficacy of such an MRT line by expanding the frequency, operating times and dedicated infrastructure for the 1 and 5 buses. 

The bottom line is that we need to incentivise as many people to get out of personal vehicles as quickly as possible. Every vehicle we get off the roads reduces emissions and congestion. While people are more likely to be swayed by swanky trains, a better bus network will help repair resident’s perception of Christchurch’s public transit network. Providing us an interim solution at the fraction of the price.

Now is the time to be planning the city’s transport vision. But vision without action is just wishful thinking. Let’s start by making buses work better—because if we can’t get that right, how can we expect to run a metro rail?

—

From anonymous bus nerd (enthusiast), Christchurch Central

Email editor.thememo@gmail.com with a letter to be considered for publication.