Auckland speaks trains, Government replies roads

Len Brown has again made it clear the priority for Auckland transport must be investment in trains yet John Key’s Government is still refusing to listen, the Green Party said today.

Len Brown set out his top three transport priorities for the region yesterday at the Council’s swearing in ceremony. They include the Britomart rail loop, a rail line to Auckland airport and the North Shore. John Key gave no commitment to further investment in rail citing the completion of Auckland’s spatial plan as the reason.

“John Key continues to apply the brakes on Auckland’s aspirations to be the economic heart of the country. His reluctance to embrace alternatives to roads is preventing Auckland from getting on with it,” said Green Party Transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“Key’s wait-and-see response to Auckland’s call for greater investment into rail is particularly galling given their commitment of $3.1 billion to new roads long before a spatial plan was ever considered.

“The Green Party supports better planning to maximise future investments in transport infrastructure. Why isn’t he waiting for the spatial plan before committing $3.1 billion on new roads?” said Mr Hughes.

Rail patronage has been growing at a phenomenally high rate in Auckland with Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) reporting record patronage growth this year. Annualised rail growth has been over 10 percent, contrasted with declining traffic volumes on many state highway routes around Auckland, including the Harbour Bridge.

“The CBD Rail Loop is the smartest way to deliver real transport progress to the fast growing Auckland region,” added Mr Hughes.

“The CBD Rail Loop is key to increased capacity and frequency of trains. It is vital for expanding the network to the airport and North Shore. The Government can bring this project forward to meet the demand for rail and deal with Auckland’s economically stifling congestion.”

“The Government’s aim in creating the Supercity was to give the region one mayor, one council and one united voice. The City is now speaking with that one voice on transport solutions but the Government no longer wants to listen,” said Mr Hughes.