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Source: ONE News -
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It is believed Auckland's ongoing bus dispute has undone years of work to get people to use public transport.
It's back to the drawing board for NZ Bus and its drivers after 900 union members rejected an offer of an 11.5% pay increase over three years.
Union representatives had recommended the offer to their members.
Newmarket Business Association chief executive Cameron Brewer says the past few months have done nothing to encourage people to get out of their cars and onto using public transport.
He says the impasse undermines the progress made with public transport over the past few years and the goodwill by the travelling public.
He says bus transport is the lifeblood of the city's public transport network because so many employees and visitors rely on it.
Auckland Regional Transport Authority CEO Fergus Gammie says in the interests of the travelling public, it's critical the dispute is resolved as soon as possible.
He says Wednesday's developments are disappointing and he's encouraging both parties to settle the situation with urgency.
Week-long stoppage
A week-long stoppage last month affected tens of thousands of Auckland commuters and it's not yet clear whether the latest development will see buses off the road again.
The union says it's too early to make any decision about strike action.
The combined unions represent bus drivers and cleaners who work for Metrolink, GO WEST, Waka Pacific, North Star, LINK, and City Circuit bus services.
