'We were raised in cars, we were raised to like them': Aucklanders talk about public transport

This paper examines some of the social and cultural factors that have entrenched the car as the mode of choice for Aucklanders and that militate against greater support and use of passenger transport. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus groups with Auckland residents living in the inner city, inner and outer suburbs and on lifestyle blocks. Our data show that for these diverse participants, the car provides the convenience and freedom to go wherever, whenever; qualities that underpin its taken-for-granted use to meet the travel needs of so many Aucklanders. In addition to providing mobility, the car offers a personalised mobile space that can be used as an office; for entertainment and recreation; and in emergency situations provides security that essential services can be reached. Personal time and budgets are the only limits to the destinations that can be reached by use of a private vehicle. These characteristics of the car and Aucklanders' behaviour in relation to cars, pose major challenges to efforts to encourage a mode shift in favour of public transport. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214098.