Musical petition to Auckland council

Roger & The Ramjets sang the free buses song "We're Movin¹ On" at tonight's Auckland City Council meeting.

This original waiata supported a "free & frequent buses" presentation to council made by RAM - Residents Action Movement.

Councillors, staff and onlookers loudly applauded Roger & The Ramjets. Mayor Dick Hubbard said it was probably the first musical deputation in the Auckland council's history.

RAM has recently launched a free buses petition, which has been personally endorsed by close to 200 prominent and respected Aucklanders.

Robyn Hughes, a Manukau ARC councillor, led off RAM's presentation with an economic overview of Auckland gridlock costs, including $1.7 billion in annual "hidden" costs not factored into traditional transport planning.

Robyn outlined RAM's plan for 3,000 free buses to be funded by a major shift of government funding from new tarseal to new buses.

Grant Morgan, RAM's organiser, pointed to the lack of political will to fix gridlock. In a geographically large region with a fairly dispersed population, free and frequent buses is the only realistic way to conquer congestion, he told council.

RAM has initiated the petition, Grant said, because "only a massive groundswell can bring about the political changes needed to get our region moving".

He wound up RAM's presentation by calling on councillors, both individually and collectively, to support the free buses campaign.

Printed below are:
(1) Full text of Robyn and Grant's presentation.
(2) Words to free buses song "We're Movin' On".
(3) Updated full list of petition endorsers.

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