Key Takeaways
- Bus passengers in New Zealand are experiencing frustration with buses not stopping at designated stops, with over 1000 complaints filed with MetLink in Wellington last year.
- Bus drivers are expected to stop at bus stops if they see someone waiting, but passengers are encouraged to wave to signal their intention to board.
- Not all passengers are able to wave, such as those who are visually impaired or have their hands full, and drivers are trained to look for other signals such as facial expressions and body language.
- The issue is not unique to Wellington, with Environment Canterbury and Auckland Transport also receiving complaints about buses not stopping.
- Passengers are advised to make themselves visible to the driver and to wave if possible, to ensure they are picked up.
Introduction to the Problem
Whether you’re heading to work or coming home with kids and shopping, there are few things more maddening than your bus just seeming to sail on by. This is a common experience for many bus passengers in New Zealand, with over 1000 complaints filed with MetLink in Wellington last year. The complaints are not just about the inconvenience, but also about the frustration and disappointment of being left behind. For example, Jess Gessner filed a complaint after she and her two young children were left on the curb when the bus driver failed to stop, despite it being clear that they wanted to get on.
The Expectation of Bus Drivers
According to Metlink senior operations manager Paul Tawharu, bus drivers are expected to stop at bus stops if they see someone waiting. However, passengers are encouraged to wave to signal their intention to board. Tawharu notes that waving is helpful, but not a requirement, and that passengers don’t need to wave to be picked up. This is because not all passengers are able to wave, such as those who are visually impaired or have their hands full. Instead, drivers are trained to look for other signals such as facial expressions and body language. For instance, John Ng, a commuter in Wellington, said that he has been passed by buses several times, and that drivers expect passengers to be "visually waving, not just raising their hands".
Passenger Experiences
Many commuters who spoke to RNZ in the Wellington suburb of Newtown said they tended to wave down their buses, but nearly everyone also felt they had been passed up or had seen another passenger left at the stop. Clara, a commuter, said she had been passed by a bus on a number of occasions, and that it was a "very sad day" when it happened. Ben Lake, another commuter, said that it depends on the bus stop, and that there are definitely times when people will be waiting there and the bus will just go straight past. Jane, a commuter, said that she always waves to the driver because they don’t often stop, and that they’ll go past you if you don’t flag them down.
Comparative Data
Environment Canterbury public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said that last year, the organization received just over 550 complaints about buses not stopping, either to pick up passengers or allow them off. In the context of more than 15 million passenger trips a year, the numbers are comparatively small. Gibbon noted that drivers do a brilliant job of balancing the different demands of the role, including gauging whether people waiting at stops want to get on board. A clear signal from a customer is a great help to them, and drivers are trained in many different scenarios, including when customers may have their hands full.
Auckland Transport’s Approach
Auckland Transport service operations manager Duncan McGrory said that the transport provider has signs at every bus stop, asking passengers to indicate they want to board with a "clear wave of their arm". McGrory noted that Aucklanders take up to 230,000 bus trips every weekday, and the growth of the network over the last 15 years has made hailing the bus crucial to keeping things running smoothly. The message is clear: wherever you are in the country, when in doubt, put your arm out. McGrory emphasized the importance of passengers indicating which bus they want to board, to ensure that every single bus is not stopping at every single stop.
Conclusion
The issue of buses not stopping at designated stops is a frustrating experience for many passengers in New Zealand. While bus drivers are expected to stop at bus stops if they see someone waiting, passengers are encouraged to wave to signal their intention to board. The key takeaways from this issue are that passengers should make themselves visible to the driver, wave if possible, and be aware of the expectations of bus drivers. By following these guidelines, passengers can help ensure a smoother and more efficient public transportation system. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a reliable and convenient service for all passengers, and by working together, we can achieve this goal.
