Key Takeaways
- Benches have been stolen from approximately 65 bus shelters across Auckland, with the city’s transport agency, Auckland Transport, aware of the issue for three weeks.
- Despite knowing about the issue, Auckland Transport has yet to file an official report to police, citing the need to gather more information on the affected sites.
- The stolen benches are believed to be being sold as scrap metal, prompting Auckland Transport to consider sourcing new benches made from different materials.
- Local board member Jon Turner has criticized Auckland Transport’s delayed response, questioning why they are waiting to make a police report when the benches have already been stolen.
Introduction to the Issue
Benches have been disappearing from bus shelters across Auckland, leaving commuters without a place to sit while waiting for their buses. According to Auckland Transport, the city’s transport agency, approximately 65 of the city’s 3000 bus stops have been affected by the theft of benches. The agency has been aware of the issue for three weeks but has yet to file an official report to police. This has raised questions about the agency’s response to the issue and its efforts to prevent further thefts.
The Response of Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport has stated that it is aware of the issue and is taking steps to address it. According to Rebecca Temple, the agency’s manager of public transport real-time and response, the stolen benches are believed to be being sold as scrap metal. As a result, the agency is considering sourcing new benches made from different materials that would be more difficult to graffiti and less desirable as scrap metal. However, the agency’s decision not to file a formal police report yet has been criticized by local board member Jon Turner, who argues that the agency should be taking action now rather than waiting longer to make a report.
Criticism of Auckland Transport’s Response
Jon Turner, a member of the Puketāpapa Local Board, first noticed the missing benches while going for a run down Mount Eden Road and spotted eight missing benches. Since posting about the issue on social media, he has received reports of other missing benches in Sandringham, Avondale, and around Greenwoods Corner on Manukau Road. Turner has criticized Auckland Transport’s delayed response, questioning why they are waiting to make a police report when the benches have already been stolen. He argues that the agency should be taking action now to prevent further thefts, rather than waiting to gather more information on the affected sites.
The Police Response
The police have stated that they were not immediately aware of the issue of stolen bus stop benches. However, Auckland Transport claims to have notified the police about the issue three weeks ago, when it first became aware of the problem. The agency has stated that it works with the police daily and that lodging a formal complaint is just a formality. However, the fact that the police were not aware of the issue raises questions about the effectiveness of the agency’s communication with the police and its efforts to address the problem.
Conclusion
The theft of benches from bus shelters across Auckland is a significant issue that affects the comfort and convenience of commuters. While Auckland Transport has acknowledged the problem and is taking steps to address it, its delayed response has been criticized by local board member Jon Turner. The agency’s decision not to file a formal police report yet has raised questions about its priorities and its efforts to prevent further thefts. As the agency continues to gather information on the affected sites, it is essential that it takes action to prevent further thefts and ensures that commuters have a safe and comfortable place to wait for their buses.