Auckland buses are not safe

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Handsomedan

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#3456658 28-Jan-2026 11:36

I agree that the lack of consequences throughout life is one cause, but the fact that they can intimidate and bully, then film any retaliation and post it to the internet in any way they choose to make victims appear like perpetrators is a major issue.

I'd stand up to the odd one here and there, but not a group of them and certainly not if they can film me and get me prosecuted for "assaulting a minor" or similar.

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askelon

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#3456701 28-Jan-2026 15:24

First time Ive been on a bus since early December.. One had small cockroaches running around the floor, one had the usual crazy who was either drunk or drugged up. He literally stood up to drink something and tipped his head so far backwards he fell over. While singing gibberish.. Another had the usual I must get onto a full bus then stand right at the door at either end stopping people from getting on/off. Sadly have to rinse and repeat the process again tomorrow. Although apparently trains will be running and at least I wont be having to get into town until 10am.

mattwnz

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#3456706 28-Jan-2026 15:46

I hate buses and believe they need to make them safer before I would consider using them again. But that would require them hiring more staff. Also just walking past bus hubs I feel unsafe at times, and have often been asked by people for money. As NZ is trying to refocus itself on public transport, they need to do better. Trains aren't as bad, and I like trains, but they are too expensive and reliable and too often they have bus replacements. .

Stu1

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#3456736 28-Jan-2026 17:21

There are some terrible stops in Wellington, Lower Hutt is bad i tell the kids to get off the stop before Queensgate for their safety . Wellington needs fare capping to make public transport more affordable. Christchurch is $6 I think which is great value

gzt

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#3456761 28-Jan-2026 20:04

Radio NZ article with relevant statistics and responses from AT:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/585193/bus-attacks-how-to-stay-safe-on-auckland-transport

People can report dangerous or threatening behaviour immediately by:

- Reporting immediately by texting 4030
- Clicking 'Report feeling unsafe' on the AT Mobile app
- Filing a Crimestoppers report online

Other than that looks like AT has quite a bit of safety stuff in place now. The tone of some of the responses does make me wonder if they really understand the level of concern.

mattwnz

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#3456766 28-Jan-2026 20:16

Surely they should provide a Phone number to people who feel unsafe for immediate action. Sending txts or online forms seems ridiculous after the event has already occurred why many users are elderly who aren’t tech savvy

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Handle9

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#3456767 28-Jan-2026 20:17

mattwnz:

Surely they should provide a Phone number to people who feel unsafe for immediate action.

It's called 111

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#3456768 28-Jan-2026 20:19

Handle9:

mattwnz:

Surely they should provide a Phone number to people who feel unsafe for immediate action.

It's called 111

Thats the police though and usually that is for when it is a serious safety to life etc. Not for less serious things. Police resources are already stretched

pdh

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#3456860 29-Jan-2026 02:26

So.. I stand by my prediction that driverless cars/shuttles will replace buses within 10-15 years.
(I've been called worse - and been proved right - often enough that I can laugh at the naysayers ;-)

The OP focused on the (lack of) safety - and 20 subsequent posts support that concern.
You're all worried about your own - or your kid's safety.
And if your kid is female & cute - you're probably petrified.

AT (and the media) is only worried - to the extent that they might be forced to try and fix something that's completely beyond their control.
The troublemakers/crazies aren't scared of the cops (why would they be).
So if AT doubles its operating costs and installs a rent-a-cop on each bus... that'll fix it ?
Yeah, right !

Think what effect a driverless point-to-point will have on your personal security during travel.
You'll get on & off where you want.
If you travel with others - they will be known & OK'd by the App.
And you will vet them (and yourself be vetted) using a rating system.
Or pay a premium and travel solo.

AT - and every other city Transit authority will be petrified of this.
We won't need them (a Transit department) at all.
It can all be 'driven' by one or more Uber-like service - payments, credits, scheduling, availability, maps, vetting, season-ticketing, on/off peak, special needs...

And such services will likely be trans-national (like Uber, Starlink, AirBnB & GoogleMaps)
Who wants the targeted advertising rights ?

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