It's international Car Free Day so I'm using public transport to get across Auckland (as I often do). It takes a little more planning but pretty easy with the Auckland Transport's mobile app. Plus I can listen to some tunes and catch up on news, emails and social media.
As regular user of public transport I'm aware of the gaps - reliability, frequency, affordability and accessibility aren't where they need to be. But none of it is unfixable with the right focus. Dedicated bus lanes help with the first two which is why I'm such a vocal supporter of the Eastern Busway.
I also support active modes - we also need a connected network of walking and cycling paths, physically separated for safety. They don't have to cost millions or take decades, we can build them faster using proven, cost effective solutions.
There will always be people or situations where private motor vehicles might be necessary. The more people using public transport and active modes, the less cars which frees up road space for those that need it.
Private vehicles shouldn't be the only practical answer most of the time - I want to live in a city where public transport & active modes are realistic options for majority of travel.
Like any large city, Auckland needs transport options that can move large numbers of people efficiently with a little emissions as possible - public transport, walking and cycling are key to this. Done well they will reduce congestion, pollution, emissions and injuries.
If you haven't tried public transport recently, I highly recommend it. Buses have come a long way since I used to catch them to school. We have a single integrated ticketing system which is largely painless, the trains are amazing and ferries improving all the time.