This morning, I took the train into the CBD (like I usually do when I go to uni) and when I got there I almost walked into one of these:
Upon seeing them, I almost squealed in excitement.
I'm sure you (and the rest of the world) know what they are and will probably look at them in disdain but this system is new to Auckland, New Zealand. These will act as the gate barrier in and out of the train platforms at Britomart (Auckland's transport hub in the CBD - although when I say transport hub, the building is more of a train station than anything else).
NOTE: now don't be fooled by the beauty. That picture has been through two filters. Follow me on Instagram: "essenity"!
Currently, when you take the train in Auckland, you buy the ticket before you get on the train. Once on, there is a man that goes around to everybody. You will present your ticket to him and he will use a hole puncher to punch a hole on the ticket. If you did not buy a ticket prior to boarding the train, you can buy one off the ticket person - cash only. However, there have been instances during rush hour when the ticket person fails to get around to every person before the train reaches the next station. I suspect many people will not pay if they only ride one station. This ticket person is also responsible for opening the train doors when the train reaches the next station... he gets off the train and lets people out and in. So very often, he gets back on and fails to remember every person he's already taken a ticket from etc. I've seen a ticket man miss over ten passengers due to the number of people that get on after the first station.
If this system was used anywhere else in the world, I'm pretty sure many many people would take advantage of this and not pay. But many times in NZ, I've seen people lining up after getting off the train and waiting patiently (during rush hour, no less) for the ticket guy to punch a hole before leaving. Now, there's no reason for them to do this because once they are off the train, it's free for all. There are no barriers that keep you stuck in the station, you can walk off just like that. There are no dates on these tickets, if they don't get a hole punched through it, you can use it the next time.
Anyway, with such gates being set up, it will become really hard for anyone to jump this system since they won't actually be able to get out of the station! Taken us way too long to implement this system! But then again, this is NZ we are talking about. Better late then never. However, just because the gates are now up, doesn't mean it's up and running yet. I asked the lady standing there (to this day, I have no idea what they do. They just seem to stand on the platform all day...) who told me it should be up and ready for use by the end of October. Friking long way away! But I await its implementation eagerly!
Day two of my "healthy diet":
Fought the urge to get roast duck on rice and settled for chicken sandwich for lunch, skipped the mango passion smoothie though. Exercise? Walked from uni, up Symonds Street to Upper Queen Street then all the way down it to Britomart (in heels). On the way down, the strong desire for something deliciously deep fried developed but I managed to fight it into submission and skipped getting a McDonald's meal. After dinner, my choice of dessert was Symbio's passion fruit yoghurt with a mandarin. According to them, the benefits of Symbio include:
- Aids digestive balance
- Good source of fibre
- 5 billion live DR10™ ("can reduce digestive discomfort including gurgling, flatulence, constipation and irregular bowel movements.")
- 99% fat free
To be honest with you, I choose to consume this New Zealand product because it tastes delicious.
On an unrelated note, I've recently discovered Birdy and fell in love with her voice. Her songs are really soothing to me! Here's a link to her Skinny Love video:
Please check out her other songs!
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