SEPTEMBER MAHURU 2021
Lack of drivers parks the Tons of fun 85 commuter service A severe shortage of drivers is behind the end of the 85 express bus service between Eastbourne and Wellington, for now at least. This month, the Eastbourne Community Board meeting included Metlink explaining the reason for cancelling the popular commuter service, which bypasses Petone during peak hours. Metlink general manager Scott Gallacher apologised for the inconvenience in recent months arising from cancellations because of drivers being off work sick. He said the company had decided it was preferable to run a reduced service, rather than have buses not turn up, leaving people waiting, and wondering when the next bus would arrive. Greater Wellington Regional Council's Daran Ponter agreed, saying Metlink was short 60 drivers, and other routes had also been affected. 'All routes are subjected to this treatment, not just Eastbourne," he said. Earlier, during public comment, four residents spoke about the longer commute time that would result in taking the remaining 81 service through Petone, adding that it was often standing room only. When asked by ECB member Bruce Spedding "Would you be happy with your kids standing at 80 or 90 kms on the motorway?," Mr Ponter replied, "Yes, I would." Mr Gallacher said they would look at deploying the double decker buses more frequently. However, Mr Ponter pointed out that buses often started their journey in Eastbourne but then went on to other routes, which could include narrow, windy streets where double decker buses were unsuitable.
Keep the cottage - EHEA Submissions closed this week on the draft Williams Park Management Plan, which included three options for the park (see The Eastbourne Herald, August 2021). The East Harbour Environmental Association told its members the main issue in the plan is the removal of the Caretaker’s Cottage/House and its replacement with vehicle parking. EHEA believes the cottage should be retained as a Community House. where residents’ associations could hold meetings. EHEA says the Caretaker's Cottage is a heritage building, being the oldest building in Days Bay. It was built 1894, the same time as the wharf. “We need to protect our built heritage as well as our natural heritage, and in this instance we can do the two at the same time. So we are going in to bat to keep the Cottage and not have it destroyed as
Hazel, Molly and Teddy Innes of York Bay enjoy the Eastbourne Toy Library’s latest acquisition, a Pikler Triangle, funded by a grant from the Eastbourne-Bays Community Trust. Developed by Hungarian pediatrician Dr Emmi Pikler, and made by a NZ family-owned business Wooden Wonders, the structure helps babies and toddlers gain confidence, stability and strength at their own pace.
HCC has decided.” The Association is recommending a one-way entry system to the park with, but only for short duration parking (not for all-day parking for ferry users), and for a pedestrian only path alongside the duckpond, with clearly defined pedestrian access to the main bush track, which the Council calls the Korimako Track – so that walkers do not have to struggle through parked cars or dodge those entering/existing car parks. "However much parking is provided, it will never be enough for those sunny summer days when many many people want to come to the beach etc at Days Bay – so that parking provision should only be for the average day, not for those peak-use days."