Latest news with #TomJames
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New fare-capping scheme proposed for Wellington
Daran Ponter, Andrew Little and Tom James announce their public transport plan in Island Bay. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman A new fare-capping system could encourage an extra 300,000 trips on Wellington's public transport system each year, says mayoral candidate Andrew Little. Under the proposed new scheme, bus and train users would pay for up to eight trips a week - and any additional trips would be free. The plan was announced this morning - outside a rain-soaked Island Bay bus stop - as a joint policy alongside regional council candidates Daran Ponter and Tom James. Little said the move would help lower the cost of living, reduce congestion and encourage public transport use. "If you're a regular bus user - four days a week you take your bus to work - the fifth day you take the bus you'll get that for free. "Any travel you do in the weekend - you might go and see a Phoenix game, you might go and see [the] Hurricanes playing - you'll get that for free as well," Little said. Little said he was a regular bus user, but had passed up his usual express service into Wellington City in order to make the announcement. Ponter said the cap on bus and train fares was expected to cost up to $4.5 million each year - which the regional council would try to find "internally". "We can afford that if we juggle other things that we do. "Bus use in the Wellington region has grown by 110 percent since Covid, but we're still keen to maximise use on public transport. This proposal will really benefit those people who regularly use public transport by incentivising them further," Ponter said. The candidates said they were unified in their commitment to continue the implementation of a safe cycle network alongside expanding public transport use in the city. "You only have to look down Adelaide Road to see cycle lanes and bus lanes working superbly," Ponter said. He said the regional council was poised to add additional buses to cope with the estimated 300,000 extra trips the plan could bring. "We have an order of articulated buses for the number two route - precisely to deal with these types of circumstances - a route that is growing significantly and will come under additional use as the consequence of a policy like this," Ponter said. Labour regional council candidate Tom James said - if elected - the candidates would also be looking at other policies to help the reduce the cost of public transport further. "Auckland Transport works with businesses to subsidise their employees use. We'll be looking at teaming up with the private sector to reduce bus fares even more and also looking at places like New South Wales where they have brought in an all day off peak [fare] on their Friday. "We'll be considering further proposals like that to further encourage people to take the bus and train," James said. Daran Ponter, Andrew Little and Tom James in Island Bay this morning Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman Island Bay locals greeted the proposal with cautious enthusiasm this morning. Regular public transport user David Barnes said the system would "make a big difference" across his weekly costs. "I think it's a great idea. It would bring Wellington into common practise with Auckland and other overseas cities and it's a direct incentive to use public transport. "It would save a lot of people money and probably not cost that much more because all those services are already running. I can't see any downsides," Barnes said. Veterinary regulator Kelly Etuata said she was in full support of the initiative and was encouraged that Little was "listening to the community". "With people that are normally catching the bus everyday to get to work - with the cost of everything these days - it probably does help a little bit," Etuata said. Island Bay resident Paul Brownie said something needed to be done to rein in the price of Wellington's bus services. "It really needs to be done in Wellington. The bus fares are ridiculous. The per section fares just don't make any sense anymore. "I was just over in Brisbane and they have a cap of 50 cents per journey. So we were basically travelling around Brisbane all day for a dollar a day. "You can't even get from one bus-stop to the next in Wellington for a dollar. The pricing scheme here is just way out of touch," Brownie said. Brownie said he was optimistic that the public transport system could cope with any added demand. "The service certainly has improved in the last six to 12 months to what it was a couple of years ago where - particularly on this run - you were getting two or three buses in a row cancelled. Last thing people want to be doing is standing at bus-stops for half an hour waiting to get home," Brownie said. He said the proposal would put a "definite plus" in the candidates' column when weighing up his votes for council. "As long as, if what they're proposing, actually happens. If they're going to put it as an election campaign then they have to stump up and actually do it. "Our roads around Wellington are not getting any wider and easier to drive around so if we can take a bit more traffic off the roads then it's got to be a good thing," Brownie said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leyton Orient vs Charlton: League One play-off final date, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, prediction, h2h, odds
It will be a London derby in the League One play-off final as Leyton Orient face Charlton for a place in the Championship. Orient finished the season in superb form to snatch the final spot in the play-offs and they carried that momentum their semi-final tie against Stockport, winning 4-1 on penalties to give them a Wembley date to look forward to. There was some controversy, though, with the first leg finishing 2-2 after Orient took the lead with a goal that replays showed was two yards offside. Charlton, meanwhile, delivered in front of their home fans on Thursday night, as Matty Gooden's goal proved enough for a 1-0 win on the night and on aggregate. After five straight seasons in League One, Charlton are eyeing a first return to the Championship since 2020. Orient were playing in the National League six years ago, but now find themselves within touching distance of the second tier of English football. Leyton Orient vs Charlton in the League One play-off final will take place at 1.01pm BST on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The match will be hosted at Wembley Stadium in London. TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog. Leyton Orient did not appear to be pick up any fresh injury concerns in the win over Stockport. Tom James and Randell Williams are options to come into the starting lineup if changes are made. Chuks Aneke returned from suspension for Charlton in the second leg of their semi-final with Wycombe and he will be available at Wembley. He could start up front alongside Matty Godden, who is comfortably the club's top scorer this season. Orient were the underdogs coming into the play-offs, but it is now eight matches unbeaten and they will believe they can deliver at Wembley. Charlton, though, were one of the division's best sides in the second half of the season to surge up the table and held their nerve in an incredibly tight semi-final clash with Wycombe. With so much on the line it could be a nervy affair, but we're going with Charlton to edge it and book their place back in the Championship. Charlton to win, 1-0. The sides have met three times so far this season, with Charlton coming out on top in both League One games but Orient winning in the EFL Trophy. Leyton Orient wins: 21 Charlton wins: 26 Draws: 10 Leyton Orient to win: TBC Charlton to win: TBC Draw in 90 mins: TBC
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints want momentum from last home league game
Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson has set the twin goals of giving the fans something to cheer and building momentum for their European final in their last home league game of the season. The reigning Premiership champions take on Saracens on Saturday with the play-offs now mathematically out of reach following last weekend's loss to Exeter. Dowson may again opt to rest some first-choice players ahead of the Champions Cup final against Toulouse but he has injuries to contend with among their replacements. "The connection in the group is so strong that we think occasions like playing at home for the last time are important. We think the last home game of the season for the fans is important," director of rugby Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton. "We think that momentum and getting back to winning ways after a disappointing result is important and these are all motivational elements - all things we want to put out on the pitch on Saturday." Asked whether the prospect of a major European final was a worry, he said: "Yes, but it's nerve-wracking with Saracens coming up - let's deal with it in order and make sure we're set up to put a really good performance in." Sarries are currently fifth in the Premiership table, three places above Northampton, and looking to force their way into the end-of-season play-offs. "They are gunning for the top four, (have) a tonne of very strong players, Lions, etc. Loads and loads of quality across the board," said Dowson. "I'm sure they're frustrated like we are with the consistency of their performance but when they're on, they're an absolute handful. It will be a really good challenge and it's something we want to get our teeth into." Northampton, though, will almost certainly have to do so without half-back Tom James, prop Tom West and wing Will Glister, who were all injured at Sandy Park. "Tom James had an HIA (head injury assessment) so he's going to be subject to player protocol," Dowson said. "Tom West had a problem with his foot and the scan has been inconclusive so we're waiting to see how that comes out physically and see what we can get from him. "Unfortunately, Will Glister has hurt his pec (pectoral muscle) so he'll more than likely need an operation in the next couple of weeks." Centre Tom Litchfield said that despite the 42-14 scoreline, they felt they performed well against Exeter despite fielding a "makeshift" team. "Overall, the group's in a really good place. There are a lot of lads who you might see this weekend that have had a rest and and will be ready to go for the last three weeks of the season," he added. "Lads come into this group and say it's nothing like they've experienced before and that's a real strong point of this team, that we're really together, a close group, and you can see that on the pitch and in the way we play. "We didn't really give Saracens the game we were hoping to at their place earlier in the season so we feel we've got to give a better showing of ourselves and to do that for our last home game of the year would be a nice way to finish off for the crowd."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Suffolk man's death from fall in Great Yarmouth 'misadventure'
A man who fell from a building died as a result of misadventure, an inquest determined. Tom James, 26, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, in June 2024 - 15 days after falling from a building in Great Yarmouth. Over a week-long inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court, a jury found that his death was a result of misadventure but noted that his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia would have "contributed" to his in the week, the inquest heard that Mr James, who was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, had a history of mental health issues. The court heard that Mr James had been out on two hours of unescorted leave from Northgate Hospital in the town, where he was a patient, at the time of the after the inquest, his brother Michael described Mr James as having a "happy, cheeky smile."Area coroner Samantha Goward praised the family for listening to "the worst of evidence with incredible dignity".His medical cause of death was recorded as traumatic brain injury and adult respiratory distress syndrome after an unwitnessed fall. If you have been affected by this story, you can find organisations which offer help, support and information at the BBC Action Line Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Great Yarmouth: 'Prolific absconder' died in fall
Hospital 'absconder' died in fall, inquest hears 9 minutes ago Share Save Robby West BBC News, Norfolk Reporting from Norfolk Coroners Court Share Save Family photo Tom James's family described him as a "loving person" A man who fell to his death while detained under the Mental Health Act was known to medical staff as a "prolific absconder" from hospitals, his father told an inquest. Tom James, 26, died last June after falling from a building in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, having been granted two hours' unescorted leave from the town's Northgate Hospital, the hearing in Norwich was told. In a statement, his father Mark said Mr James's family had told hospital staff he had previously jumped from another building. The jury heard Mr James had a history of mental health problems. Mr James, who grew up in Lowestoft, Suffolk, was the youngest of five children, and was described by family members as "kind and sensitive". The inquest heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had spent time in different hospitals. In a statement, his mother Sarah said he had been "an inquisitive and thoughtful child". She said his mental health problems had caused him to try to call police and admit to crimes he thought he had committed. He believed he had a chip implanted in his head by the government that could "control" him, she said. Family photograph Mr James's family told the inquest he loved photography In his statement, his father said Mr James was a "loving" person. He said staff at Northgate Hospital knew he had "previously jumped" from a building. This incident happened in 2018, and resulted in a number of injuries. If you have been affected by this story or would like support then you can find organisations which offer help and information at the BBC Action Line On 29 May last year, Mr James was granted unescorted leave from Northgate Hospital and was due to return after two hours. But an hour later, emergency services were called to the town's seafront and Mr James was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where he died days later. At a previous hearing, the primary medical cause of his death was given as traumatic brain injury and adult respiratory distress syndrome. In his statement, his father said there were "no words to explain our loss". The inquest continues. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
