Our car is only needed for the odd shopping trip. Most of the rest of the time I manage quite well on the bus, but I'm also aware of SuperGold Card-holders who never use it and travel everywhere by their cars.

They must have loads of money and infinite patience. In the last week or so I've had to use my car at busy traffic times and I've been staggered at the low standard of driving. And the distinct feeling of lack of concentration on the roads and impatience of drivers.

No wonder we have health problems, as the pressure out there is certainly enough to ‘drive people to drink'. Not only that, but whenever you get held up and it seems to be happening more and more, you're watching the fuel gauge going south like a runaway train on some wonder drug. And, joy of joys, the politicians are creating another road to 'cure” the congestion, by transferring the congestion to somewhere else. But not starting until 2018!

We see these exact problems in Auckland and you'd think we'd learn. But no, so whatever you do, hang in there, as it's not going to get better anytime soon.


R McGuinness, Tauranga City.