MEDIA RELEASE
October 2001

Car Stops Proposed To Relieve Auckland Traffic Congestion

The idea of introducing car stops in order to relieve traffic congestion has been put to Infrastructure Auckland.

The concept of car stops involves letting private motor vehicles that carry passengers use bus lanes on and off the motorway. Drivers would then be able to pick up two or more people from public car stops.

The idea is that there would be less congestion, another viable and cost effective option for people to travel faster in peak hours, and less reliance on traditional public transport.

The idea has not yet resulted in a grant application being lodged with Infrastructure Auckland, which awaits funding applications for its Innovative Transport Solutions category.

Infrastructure Auckland (IA) has received few expressions of interest for grants for the notional $75 million it has put aside for innovative transport solutions.

The car stop idea is one example of many that IA hope to generate, in an effort to get Aucklanders thinking about innovative solutions for transport across the Auckland region at a workshop being held in early October. The idea was put to IA at a similar workshop.

Richard Maher, Chief Executive of Infrastructure Auckland says, we want to generate effective and constructive ideas in order to help Auckland find innovative solutions to traffic congestion.

“All transport projects begin with an idea, and we’re delighted when ideas result in grant applications to Infrastructure Auckland. The car stop concept is only one idea, and we’d like to see more ideas put forward and constructively developed into real and effective solutions.

“We would like people to start with creative and lateral thinking. That’s why we’re holding a workshop and brainstorm for interested Aucklanders on the 5th of October.
“Infrastructure Auckland wants to add to the impetus that Auckland’s Local Authorities are providing to help improve transport in Auckland,” he says.

The workshop will feature two keynote speakers; Dr Morgan Williams, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and Trevor Platt, Marketing Director for Serco Traffic Solutions, Worldwide.

Morgan Williams will address the workshop on Mobility and liveability, can both be enhanced in Auckland? And Trevor Platt will speak on Solutions to congestion problems adopted in the UK and Europe that could be applied in Auckland.

Infrastructure Auckland plays an integral role in the region’s transport environment as a funder of transport projects, which go through a rigorous evaluation process before funding is granted.

The Innovative Transport Solutions workshop is open for anyone to attend but has a limited number of places. People are able to register online at www.ia.co.nz or by contacting Infrastructure Auckland.

Ends.

To arrange an interview with Dr Morgan Williams, please telephone Strahan Wallis at Network Communications on 09 379 3154.

For more information visit www.ia.co.nz or telephone Richard Maher, Infrastructure Auckland on 09 379 2540.

Released on behalf of Infrastructure Auckland by Network Communications.

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