The Star: May 21, 2020

The Star Thursday May 21 2020
18
OPINION
Free public transport unlikely
It’s a year since Environment Canterbury
declared a climate-change emergency
Greater Christchurch’s
public transport
challenges are bigger
than the frequent
call for free buses,
as JENNY Environment
HUGHEY explains what
Canterbury the council has councillors
been doing.
Phil The Clearwater formal declaration and of a
state of climate emergency across
Tane Canterbury Apanui was one explain of the most
serious, and colourful, moments
FREE in the BUSES regional across council’s greater more than
Christchurch 30-year history. invoke suggestions
of greater A year patronage, ago this Saturday, reduced
pollution at 11.49am, and Environment
less congestion
– all Canterbury things we became are striving New Zealand’s
towards, first council but which to proclaim we must such an
achieve emergency, in a different formally and dedicating
sustainable itself to consideration way. of climate
change Encouraging at the heart greater of all patronage
through The declaration better and highlighted more
it does.
frequent that all the service work at Environment
a reasonable
cost Canterbury is the key does challenge – from facing
the freshwater greater Christchurch management public to
transport biodiversity system, and biosecurity, and is what the
community transport and told urban us they development wanted
when to air the quality, Regional and also Public regional
Transport leadership Plan – has was a climate consulted change
on. focus. It is the ‘how’ that is the real
question.
Currently, under the Resource
Management
An entirely free
Act,
public
regional
transport
network is unlikely, simply
councils are required only to adapt
to climate change, not mitigate
because
it – that
somebody
responsibility
has to
is the
pay.
The
Government’s,
roughly $85
but
million
could
cost
change.
to Even run the in ‘adapt network mode’ each many year is
currently of Environment funded by Canterbury’s Government
subsidy, existing rates policies and and fares. plans already
contribute ‘Free’ in terms to reduced of no fares emissions. for
passengers In declaring might the also climate mean
no emergency, extra Government the Council subsidy, noted it
landing would a continue significant to show cost leadership on
ratepayers on climate-change in the areas and where do so
the without services adding run, regardless new programmes of
whether at ratepayers’ they use expense. the service. It also gave
staff Even a with clear the mandate current to funding continue
model and fare revenue, there
is simply not enough money to
beef up services, let alone run
them for free. But with stronger
funding or a different economic
model, we could potentially trial
a free route – we know that when
buses have been fare free for
people to attend some events, for
example for the recent car-free
day, there has been good patronage.
But even these free rides get
paid for by someone – that is,
either the general ratepayers or
the Government pick up the tab.
So if we are ruling out ‘free’
and enhance that work.
That work included setting
up a climate-change integration
programme in the Long-term Plan
2018-28, ensuring climate change
was actively considered across
workstreams, increasing visibility
of the science and what we know
about the impact of climate
change on Canterbury, and liaising
on the issue with iwi and regional
across
partners,
the board,
other local
how
authorities
are we
going
and central
to increase
government.
patronage and
continue
As an
to
organisation,
develop the
we
service?
have
Environment
also made significant
Canterbury
progress
and
in
the addressing partners our of the own greater greenhousegas
emissions, public with our transport
Christchurch
joint Christchurch committee building have work receiving under a
way “market-leading” to develop a new energy economic efficiency
model rating for of 5.0 investing out of 6 in in public the year
transport to February but on there is National a lot of
work Australian still to Built be done Environment
that at
this Rating stage. System New Zealand.
In The the building’s meantime, features there include are
moves 184 solar in the panels direction which of can low
emissions. generate more In terms than of 55,000 environmentally-friendly
kilowatt hours of buses, electricity we are per
now year. operating three electric
buses There and has have been contracts a 26% reduction for
another per staff 25 member in the near in emissions future and
another since 3039 June low-emission 2010. We now diesel have
buses access joining to electric the fleet. and hybrid
vehicles But back and to hope the money to have – half elec-outric
buses cost about 20 per cent
more to own and operate than
diesel buses. The current price of
an electric bus that can do about
300km between charges is in the
vicinity of $780,000, compared
with around $400,000 for a diesel,
but of course the operating
costs of the electric vehicle are a
lot cheaper.
If councils throughout
Aotearoa worked through central
Government to make a bulk
purchase of electric buses for the
whole country, this should make
them more affordable.
The delivery could be staged so
Environment
Canterbury Chair
Jenny Hughey
fleet hybrid or long-range electric
by 2022. Carbon emissions from
air travel across the organisation
are offset via our own biodiversity
programmes.
According to a Madworld report
in 2019, our gross emissions were
2253 tonnes of carbon dioxide
(CO2) equivalent, compared with
removals of 7883 tonnes of CO2-
equivalent through our efficiency
efforts and from forestry planting
across 2700 hectares.
The changing climate will pose
many risks to life and livelihood
in Canterbury. In recent years
we have seen how occasional,
but extreme, weather events have
had huge effects on residents and
infrastructure Phil around the Tane South
Island. Clearwater Apanui
The driest parts of our region,
that along older the buses Marlborough could be coast phased and
out across to achieve much of state-of-the-art
the Canterbury
fleets Plains, of are buses expected with zero to get carbon even
emissions. drier. North-westerly storms are
predicted That said, to what become we don’t more yet intense,
know with torrential is the life alpine expectancy rainstorms of an
electric turning bus our and braided what rivers other into technology
roaring might rapids, become fuelling available landslides
that and could causing be widespread even better. erosion. So even
if we Canterbury’s could afford coastal it, a rapid swap
to communities ‘all-electric’ will might be threatened not be the
wisest move.
We are keeping a close eye on
developments with hydrogenpowered
buses, which could also
be part of any bulk purchasing
plan. If experimental trials continue
to be successful there could
be a great future for hydrogen as
a fuel for public transport.
Of course, all this only makes
a difference if people opt out of
their individual cars and into
public transport.
Would rail make public transport
more attractive? Both light
and heavy rail are also options
for Greater Christchurch. We are
by sea-level rise this century and
our productive and protected land
jeopardised by the arrival and
spread of new, exotic weeds and
pests from warmer climates.
All these eventualities have
to be planned and prepared for,
and Environment Canterbury
will remain in the vanguard of
these climate change efforts.
One example is the $40 million
Waimakariri River flood
protection project, completed
late last year. The network of
floodgates and stopbanks will
protect half a million people and
$8 billion of community and
business assets from a possible
investigating “super flood”. options for mass
rapid The transit last major at the flood moment, was in
recognising December 1957, that any when investment parts
would of Coutts need Island to be in significant. Belfast and
Kainga Where were rail swamped is successful by river
elsewhere flow peaking the at 3990 world, cubic there are
high
metres
population
per second
densities
(cumecs).
along
the
The
rail
protection
corridors,
scheme
so it wouldn’t
has been
designed to defend Christchurch
work everywhere. Bringing
from a flood of as much as 6500
people into Christchurch city
cumecs.
for
Environment
work and leisure
Canterbury’s
in high
numbers
leadership
would
of biodiversity
therefore
and
be a
key biosecurity objective. programmes is also
underpinned With new technology by climate-change being
developed, concerns. we could develop
light Canterbury’s rail in the distinct medium-term, braided
perhaps rivers and using unique new wetlands corridors face
where many challenges. our bus lanes The are rivers now form
fully a vital established ecological and link using and provide fast,
comfortable an abundant and food convenient supply and
trains. nesting Even grounds trackless for 26 trams species of
could native be birds considered – most classified an evolving
technology.
as
An alternative, future, heavy
rail commuter system with a
top speed of around 110km/h
would also reduce emissions
and ease congestion. It could
follow existing and under-used
lines – meaning no major land
purchases are needed – from as
far north as Waipara, west to
Darfield and initially south to
Rolleston or even Ashburton and
Timaru.
This would require consensus
from the region’s territorial
authorities and may qualify for
money from government funds.
If threatened there was and a real facing desire increased and
aligned pressures funding due to river for this, system we
could change. start on the project within
a few Wetlands months, are though also ecosystems it would
take at-risk a lot nationally longer to and have regionally, commuter
degraded trains by draining, on the tracks. damming
and In diversion the short-term, affecting Environment their
Canterbury’s ability to sequester biggest carbon, public transport
cleanse priority freshwater will be and getting mitigate over
Covid-19. flooding, as Patronage well as impacting will take on
some biodiversity time to and recover, mahinga given kai. physical
With
distancing
biosecurity,
on buses
we are
could
continue
putting greater
for some
emphasis
months
on
yet.
the
risks of new pests establishing
The perception of the risk of
in Canterbury. Warming
infection may remain a challenge
temperatures, changing soils and
in
new
persuading
land uses mean
passengers
new weeds
on
board,
especially,
both
will
regulars
be able
and
to gain
new
a
customers. better foothold And across the fear the of region. using
cash More may broadly, also present we have challenges to
in curb recouping reliance on fares. fossil fuels and
find The environmentally Government has suitable been
supporting alternatives, the such network as electricity to enable and
free hydrogen, trips under to power alert our levels public 4 and
3 transport. so essential trips can still take
place, When and my under predecessor alert level Steve 2
the Lowndes vehicles retired are following as chair of strict
Covid-19 this council regulations late last year, to keep he
them highlighted safe for some passengers of the big and
drivers changes alike. on the way. He was
optimistic In the future, we would adding be able alternative
deal bus with options the “pressing Christchurch issues” of
to
and climate possibly change to and sustainability.
from satellite
towns I share in his Selwyn confidence. and Waimakariri,
community, with more and as flexible a council, routes
As a
such we are as taking Timaru’s some on-demand bold steps to
MyWay ensure we service, are in a might better help place people
cope to with see our the changing public transport climate as
to
a and safe, the convenient tests it will option. set us. But
there However, will always for public be a need transport to do
to more. recover patronage and fares
in the post-Covid environment,
a continuation of government
support and funding will be
essential to strengthen that
valuable partnership between
councils, ratepayers, patrons and
bus companies.
• Crs Phil Clearwater and
Tane Apanui are members
of the greater Christchurch
public transport joint
committee. Cr Clearwater
leads Environment
Canterbury’s transport
and urban development
portfolio.
The coming week in our history
May 21, 1840 – Lieutenant-
Governor William Hobson
proclaimed British sovereignty
over all of New Zealand – the
North Island on the basis of
cession through the Treaty
of Waitangi, and South and
Stewart Islands by right of
discovery.
May 22, 1884 – The first
representative New Zealand
rugby team played its first match,
defeating a Wellington XV 9–0
at Newtown Park. The team
then embarked on a tour of New
South Wales, where it won all its
eight games, scoring 167 points
and conceding only 17. The team
was led by Canterbury barrister
William Millton, who along with
the team’s manager, Dunedin
businessman SE Sleigh, made
most of the arrangements.
May 23, 1966 – Princess Piki,
the daughter of King Korokī,
was chosen to become the
first Māori Queen during her
father’s funeral, in accordance
with Kīngitanga protocol. She
assumed her mother’s name,
Te Atairangikaahu. She was the
sixth Māori monarch and is to
date the longest-serving. She
died in August 2006, shortly after
celebrating her 40th jubilee as
Queen.
May 24, 1968 – Three people
were killed in a magnitude
7.1 earthquake centred near
Inangahua Junction, on the
West Coast. The quake struck at
5.24am, shaking many people
from their beds. A limestone
bluff collapsed onto a farmhouse,
killing two occupants. Shortly
after the earthquake a motorist
was killed near Greymouth
when his car hit a section of road
that had subsided at a bridge
approach.
May 25, 2008 – New Zealand
driver Scott Dixon won the
Indianapolis 500 motor race.
His victory at the Brickyard,
the first Indianapolis 500 win
by a New Zealander, helped
him secure his second IndyCar
championship. This achievement
saw him recognised as the 2008
Sportsman of the Year at the New
Zealand Halberg awards.
May 26, 1926 – Anna Pavlova
danced in New Zealand for the
first time. Claimed to be the
world’s best-known ballerina,
she performed her famed Dying
Swan and Fairy Doll to a full
house in His Majesty’s Theatre,
Auckland.
May 27, 1987 – One of New
Zealand’s greatest painters Colin
McCahon died. A risk-taker and
nonconformist, he engaged with
questions of religion, faith and
the human condition through
his art.
May 28, 1920 – The conviction
of murderer Dennis Gunn
was based almost entirely on
fingerprint evidence. Gunn
was found guilty of shooting an
Auckland postmaster during a
robbery.
•In last week’s history column
we had the Plunket Society
opening on May 14, 1980,
that should have read May 14,
1907.