Queens Wharf Traffic Hazard

Queens Wharf is becoming a traffic hazard for pedestrians entering and leaving the ferry terminal. At rush hour and throughout the day passengers transfer between the ferry terminal and Britomart and the bus stops in Queen Elizabeth Square.

Many fellow commuters have remarked on the decline in pedestrian safety. It began with the Airport Bus stop being transferred from Quay Street to Queens Wharf. For a while this seemed great - especially if you wanted to get from Devonport to Auckland International Airport. This service is great. Step off the ferry and into the bus...

Of course everyone else has to cross Quay Street to catch that bus. Not too much of a hassle. But it strikes me as extreme laziness on the part of Auckland Transport to casually take up more public space to park its buses, and at the same time create a pedestrian hazard.

You might think: 'exaggeration'. But I write this having almost been run over by a bus that tried to make it across the lights, just at the same time as a ferry load of passengers were unloaded, many of whom were running to Britomart.

When this warship was in, pride of place was given to the huge BP fuel tanker plus ancillary cars. You could visit and look, but it wasn't a straightforward experience for family groups who ran the gauntlet to have a look.

So. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport. Don't say you have not been warned. This growing accident risk is directly of your making. You will be liable for any accidents that are caused in the conflict that is of your making between buses, taxis, ancillary traffic - and commuters who have no alternative.

If the plan is to pedestrianise Quay Street is genuine - in part - one or two lanes - doesn't matter - it does not make sense to introduce another traffic element that has to feed into and across Quay Street precisely where commuters are walking between modes at the busiest public transport interchange in Auckland.