The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) will be launched in New Zealand this week
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has been launched in Auckland, New Zealand, this week as an independent advocacy body for public transport users.
PTUA Co-ordinator Jon Reeves says until now, bus, train and ferry users had no independent group they could approach over their issues or concerns.
“Our association will look at issues and developing trends which affect the actual users,” he says.
“We want all decisions to be focused on one core question, is this in the best interests of the actual public transport user.”
The group is chaired by Christine Rose, a former Councillor from Auckland Regional Council and Deputy Chair is Vernon Tava, Councillor on the Waitemata Local Board.
The Committee is made up of public transport users covering nearly all points of the Auckland region.
Users will be able to raise issues instantly via the facebook site, via twitter or by simply emailing the PTUA.
“We will use the power of the people to ensure public transport users come first with transport authorities and operators,” says Reeves.
“To that end, we have set the membership fee at just $5 which we use to help fund our voluntary organisation.”
The PTUA has already been approached via the facebook site by public transport users wanting to set branches up from Whangarei and Wellington.
While the PTUA will represent the coal face of public transport, the users, it will work with other pro-public transport groups in the mission of promoting and improving public transport.