Our AGM this year will be held on Thursday 14th July 2016, 7:30pm at the Garden Room, Richmond Road Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn.

Our special guest this year is transport economist and Green MP Julie Anne Genter.  We will confirm further details closer to the date, but in the meantime pencil this in your diary.

Membership Subscriptions

As we are well into the new financial year it is time to renew your existing membership or support us by joining or donating.  As advocates for better transport in Auckland, the more members we have the stronger our voice is to local and central Government.

Annual membership fees are only $20, or $10 unwaged – although additional donations are always appreciated! We are a completely voluntary incorporated society and we have no salaried positions, so any money we receive is simply to cover costs.

You can sign up on line , or simply make a payment using the following details:

• Bank – Kiwibank
• Account Number – 38-9009-0281735-00
• Reference – Your Name

Current Campaigns

Our focus is on North Shore Rail.  This might seem a long way off into the future, but central Government’s Transport Agency is already starting the notice of requirement process for a $4bn – $6bn road only crossing. To put it bluntly, this must be stopped.  With a benefit cost ratio of 0.4, it is inexplicable that $27m has been budgeted by the NZTA to continue with designation work for a tolled crossing.  If you haven’t already, please find out more and support the campaign at www.northshorerail.nz

This is the story of the evolution of Auckland’s public transport since early colonial times which reveals much about the development of the city. From the pioneer entrepreneurs operating plodding horse-buses, through the dynamic construction of an outstanding electric tram system, a network of harbour ferry services and the brief interlude of trolley-buses to the electrification of suburban rail and the ubiquitous diesel bus, public transport has played a vital part in Auckland’s living and lifestyle – this book tells it all.

Graham is a former Associate-Professor of Political Studies at Auckland University and is the secretary of the Campaign for Better Transport.

The book sells for $59.99 in stores, but publishers Grantham House Publishing have kindly offered the book to CBT members for $46.00, inclusive of GST, post and packing. It is an excellent book, and if you would like a copy for yourself just post your mailing address and a cheque to

Grantham House Publishing
6/9 Wilkinson Street
Oriental Bay
Wellington 6011

If you don’t own a chequebook, you can pay by credit card. Contact for details.

• 10th December, 7:30pm
• Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Ave

Open to all members and supporters of the CBT.  BYO, we will be providing some light snacks.

• Wednesday 11 September, 6:30 start
• Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Square, Auckland Central

Over the coming weeks we will be confirming the format of the evening, but keep this date in your diary.

CBT Annual General Meeting
Show your support for the CBT by coming along to the Annual General Meeting:

• Wednesday 17 July 2013
• Garden Room, Grey Lynn Community Centre

Nominations for committee positions are welcome.   Beyond the monthly committee meetings, ideally candidates should have the time and energy to contribute to our on-going campaigns. If you don’t have the time but would like to support the cause, then please consider becoming a CBT financial member for the year by signing up here:

http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/join-us/

We are well into the new financial year and subscriptions for existing members are now due.  Remember the CBT is purely voluntary so any money we raise goes on direct costs of campaigns.  Our regular Committee meeting is scheduled for 11th June.  As usual all members are welcome but please let me know in advance if you intend on coming.

News Roundup
The first of Auckland’s new electric trains is on its way from Spain right now.  The introduction of these trains will be transformational for Auckland’s rail network.  A number of cities overseas, such as Perth, experienced rapid patronage growth when electric trains were introduced, and no doubt Auckland Transport will be looking for the same “sparks” effect here in Auckland.

Transportblog.co.nz goes from strength to strength and is now the 4th ranked blog in New Zealand according to the Open Parachute survey methodology. It has become the “go to” site for in depth analysis on transport and Auckland planning issues – check it out if you haven’t already.

We continue to try and educate the public and politicians alike on the benefits of the City Rail Link. A recent effort was this letter to Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee where we correct a number of the Minister’s misunderstandings on the subject: http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/2013/05/city-rail-link-facts/

We think the letter to the Minister is a useful primer on the City Rail Link, and that it is unfortunate that the Minister has turned down our request to meet for the third time in a row.

We are at the beginning of a campaign to establish a rail service to Mt Roskill, achievable by extending the Western Line from Avondale.  There is some discussion on this on our online forum but our intention is to launch a petition to raise awareness and to lobby local Government: http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3942

One issue we face with the petition is figuring out to whom to address the petition to.  The passing of the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill in recent days apparently removes decision making responsibilities from Auckland Council in relation to transport objectives for Auckland and transport funding for Auckland.
It is a confusing state of affairs which we have highlighted in this Transport Blog post: http://transportblog.co.nz/2013/06/05/land-transport-management-bill/

Thanks for your support

CBT will provide some food and refreshment, feel free to BYO.

This will be an informal gathering, but for catering purposes please RSVP via EventBrite

There are less than 30 tickets left, so be in quick.

• Tuesday 12th July, 7:30pm
• Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd.

The rest of the Agenda is fairly light so that we can have an informal chat over some refreshments. Please confirm your attendance for catering purposes.

Finally our last Committee meeting confirmed that annual subscriptions will remain unchanged for the year. Please bring your $20 subscription if you have yet to pay for this financial year.

• Convenor: Cameron Pitches
• Secretary: Dr Graham Bush
• Treasurer: Ross Galloway

Committee:

• Cr Graeme Easte
• Garth Houltham
• Jon Reeves
• Jennifer Northover
• Josh Arbury
• Jeremy Harris

I’m sure I speak for everyone in thanking Barry Palmer for his years of support for the CBT, and before that decades of effort he put into initiatives such as the Light Rail Transit Association and his own personal battles against Auckland’s roading mentality.  Barry retires from the Committee due to ill-health.

This meeting is a CBT member only event.  (Yes you can renew your subscription on the night for $20!). Seats are limited to 60, so please RSVP to so that we have an idea of the numbers.

John Banks will talk about transport issues facing Auckland, followed by a Question and Answer session afterwards.  To make the most of the time allocated, please forward your questions to   so that we can sort through the most popular issues.

The AGM will then be run following the conclusion of the Question and Answer session.  Nominations for the positions of Convenor, Treasurer and Committee are invited.