Akl transport fail result of anti-train bias

The transport debacle on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup was caused by systematic bias against trains and buses in Government transport planning, said the Green Party today.

"Everyone is pointing fingers, trying to pass the buck faster than a Sonny Bill Williams offload. But the roots of Auckland's transport woes are a deep bias in transport planning and Government funding," said Green Party transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

"We hear again and again from the Minister of Transport that Aucklanders don't want to take buses and trains. The officials at the Ministry of Transport have taken this view in their pessimistic review of the CBD rail link business case. But it isn't true, as was obvious Friday night.

"The Government needs to take responsibility — Aucklanders want to take public transport, but they can't rely on it because the service isn't good enough, and this is due to decades of underinvestment.

"New Zealanders want and need smart green transport investment. Aucklanders want a vibrant city they can get around, without having to fill it with cars.

"This is why the CBD rail link should be fast tracked — Aucklanders need a fast and reliable way to get into their city every day, not another motorway to get them out."

Mr Hughes said that the poor service that occurred on the night was unacceptable, and that blaming passengers and the operator wasn't good enough.

"This embarrassing fiasco risks undermining confidence in public transport for future games and risks Auckland's reputation to host major international events.

"We need to learn from this - it's no surprise that public transport fell over, since it's never been properly funded. The Government is continuing the mistakes of the past, spending seven times more on motorways and roads than on public transport over the next ten years.

"We have the opportunity to make smarter transport investments that are fiscally responsible and will create more vibrant communities. The Green Party has a costed transport plan that will get our rail and public transport up to scratch as the priority," said Mr Hughes.

Link to Green Party Transport Plan details:

http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/green-party-announces-cost-savin...