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Bus stop a problem says boatie

Boat owners are fed up at buses blocking access to the boat ramp at Waiake Beach.

The Beach Rd bus stop overlaps the boat ramp at Waiake Beach.

Torbay boat owner Chris Bradshaw says he has huge trouble launching his boat there and has often been blocked in by buses stopping along the route.

‘‘You pull in to launch your boat and a bus whips in nearly wiping you out,’’ Mr Bradshaw says.

Auckland Transport spokeswoman Sharon Hunter says there are generally two buses per hour using the route, stopping for less than a minute.

Mr Bradshaw says the bus stop has remained for years despite his complaints.

When the old bus shelter disappeared, Mr Bradshaw was hopeful his concerns had been taken on board. When fresh foundations for a new shelter appeared in the same place he couldn’t believe it.

‘‘It’s just stupid. What a waste of time and concrete,’’ Mr Bradhsaw says.

Ms Hunter says the old shelter is being replaced along with others on Beach Rd as part of an ongoing programme to provide better quality, modern bus shelters.

Mr Bradshaw says it would make more sense for the bus stop to be moved south to where the angled parking is now.

Main factors governing the relocation of bus stops include changes to bus routes, timetables and demand levels.

Ms Hunter says moving the bus stop north would mean the removal of parking spaces and to move it south would be unsafe because of the junction and bend.

‘‘Auckland Transport is currently undertaking a major review of bus routes and if changes are made these will be rolled out over the next five years,’’ she says. ‘‘It is actually not a simple process to move a bus stop. A move is treated as an application for a new bus stop and triggers a consultation process.’’

There is an alternative boat ramp at nearby Rock Isle Rd but Mr Bradshaw says he refuses to use it because of vandalism problems.

‘‘A car was set on fire not long ago, cars get broken into so I’m not using it. But either way boats bigger than four metres can’t use it.’’

Despite winter fast approaching, Mr Bradshaw believes now is the best time for fishing in the area.

‘‘The only problem is I can’t get my boat in and out without running into buses.’’

By Maryke Penman