I am one of the many Wellingtonians frustrated by the actions of Restore Passenger Rail (RPR) protesters (Upfront, September 9). I know a huge fan of public transport, especially rail, who was on an electric bus on his way to school when it was delayed by a road blockage. Other travellers were late getting to work. The irony of being delayed while using public transport was not lost on those affected. Dozens of idling cars belched emissions until the road was cleared.
There is no reason to assume that these aggravating tactics will have the intended effect. We influence social outcomes by researching and solving problems, adopting better options in our own lives, and educating the public and politicians. What commuters are learning from RPR is not that we should use passenger rail, but that protesters don’t care whose lives they disrupt.
