Business group in favour of motorway tolls

**avgas** · 12th April 2012, 21:41

Originally Posted by Hoon

Yep our public transport was pretty good in the early 90's when I stopped using it. I blame the influx of cheap jap imports making vehicles more accessible and public transport obselete. I agree we need more bums on seats but cheaper isn't the only way. By making public transport more attractive (or other methods less attractive i.e. taxing ppl off the roads) we can acheive the same effect.

To be brutally honest its a double edge sword using punishment to change something. While 50% 'give up' and fall in line, 50% will always rebel.
This is why we have a freeloader system - because they 'shouldn't have to pay' apparently.

There is the other side to this (which has already happened), if things get 'too hard' in the city - people and businesses pack up their bags and move out. Congestion tax could make the worse.
I know of many companies that have moved out of where they were to where they are in East Tamaki/Takapuna (etc), purely due to parking. Many of them are large (global) firms.

There needs to be something positive to replace the negative, otherwise you will lose more people into the city than you gain. I already book most of my weekday meetings in cafe's out of town rather than in town where I have to deal with the BS of parking. With the advent of more and bigger supermalls - soon people won't have any reason at all to go to the CBD except to appear in court

**Gremlin** · 12th April 2012, 21:52

Telecommuting can work for some jobs, but others, it's a whole lot easier to communicate when all 5 people are within earshot.

On the other hand, I support plenty of users who do telecommute from home and from around the world, including home office setups of printers, internet connection, desktop etc. Some also use it to shift their working hours, getting some work done early, then gym and into the office missing the rush hours.

That said, rush "hour" isn't really correct in Auckland anywhere. If there is a bad enough accident as the motorway is recovering, rush hour for the afternoon begins. Friday is also worse and the Southern (I use that one the most) is usually building by 2.30pm, if not earlier. Travelling around the city to sort things, I know I'd go mental if I was stuck in a car trying to get things done.

**Winston001** · 13th April 2012, 13:03

Originally Posted by Zedder

I'm not surprised at your comments at all blue rider.

While teleworking/commuting is on the increase overseas, here it is probably the last thing on managers' minds.

The main cause, which is obviously to the detriment of business and the economy, has been cited as lack of support from top management for the concept. It seems New Zealand just isn't ready for such a "radical" paradigm shift despite the benefits.

Not really. The United States tried to move towards telecommuting 10 years ago: hot desks, virtual offices, small buildings. And it didn't work.

The reason is quite simple - we are human beings. Social animals. We like to mix with each other, work together, lunch coffee together, share our day with other people.

For the same reason shopping malls are still being built despite online shopping. People like to browse and chat, see who else is about.

Don't get me wrong, there are people who telecommute and the number is growing. However a business needs its staff to feel they are a valuable part of the system, to have loyalty, and to be counted among the group. Working at home alone doesn't satisfy that so most businesses are still going to need a central physical place which everyone can identify with and feel welcome at.

**Zedder** · 13th April 2012, 13:52

Originally Posted by Winston001

Not really. The United States tried to move towards telecommuting 10 years ago: hot desks, virtual offices, small buildings. And it didn't work.

The reason is quite simple - we are human beings. Social animals. We like to mix with each other, work together, lunch coffee together, share our day with other people.

For the same reason shopping malls are still being built despite online shopping. People like to browse and chat, see who else is about.

Don't get me wrong, there are people who telecommute and the number is growing. However a business needs its staff to feel they are a valuable part of the system, to have loyalty, and to be counted among the group. Working at home alone doesn't satisfy that so most businesses are still going to need a central physical place which everyone can identify with and feel welcome at.

It pays to stick with the facts.

Teleworking/commuting is alive, well and growing in the USA and has been for many years.

The number one reason (backed up by research) why New Zealand managers do not allow it more here is suspicion of their workers.