Public transport funding cuts jeopardise Auckland rail gains

The Government’s cuts to public transport expenditure and the regional fuel tax scheme put gains from the electrification of Auckland’s rail at risk.

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has identified as “critical” the investment in ferry terminals, bus and train stations, integrated ticketing, and real time information systems. Without them, planned increases in annual passenger numbers are unlikely to meet the projected 100 million boardings by 2016.

“These are must-haves, not nice-to-haves,” said Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons. “Aucklanders will stay in their cars rather than brave cold, poorly-lit stations.”

Currently, 15% of trips involve a transfer, and this is projected to rise to 30% by 2016. Without a smart integrated ticket, most of these additional trips will not occur. That will mean an additional 12 million car trips on Auckland’s already congested roads.

The ARC has developed an integrated public transport program to address Auckland’s gridlock. After substantial public consultation and repeated surveys showing Aucklanders rate public transport as their top priority, the Government has now put years of planning and investment in jeopardy.

“Transport Minister Steven Joyce has assumed that he knows better and has decided Auckland needs more roads instead.”

The funding for integrated ticketing and station upgrades now at risk was previously part of the Auckland regional fuel tax proposal. While not perfect, the regional tax provided certainty for the region to get on with building the infrastructure they sorely need, said Ms Fitzsimons.

Now these critical projects must compete for reduced public transport money from the Land Transport Fund. National’s announcement on Tuesday sees this fund reduced (on average) by 42% over the next three years to approximately $244 million.

“The news gets even worse,” explained Ms Fitzsimons. “In order to secure funding from the Land Transport Fund, regions need to put up around half the required funding themselves.”

Auckland’s leaders will now be wondering how to fund the massive shortfall left by the Government. “Effectively, their only source will be to raise rates, which is politically difficult in a recession.”

“Once again, Auckland’s rail expansion looks in doubt with the election of another National Government. This will set the region — the whole country — back to the 1950s.”