14 October 2003

Land Transport Bill another step for Auckland transport but more flexible funding still awaited

Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee Chair and Auckland Regional Councillor Catherine Harland today welcomed the report back to Parliament of the Land Transport Management Bill.

“It’s a step in improving transport in the region and takes on board some of the key points made in the Regional Land Transport Committee's submission earlier this year," says Ms Harland.

"It simplifies consultation and decision making processes where there was considerable duplication. It ensures that efficiency and effectiveness is taken into account alongside other identified factors and it puts the Regional Land Transport Strategy at the centre of funding decisions."

"While there has been some increased flexibility on such things as tolling and private and public sector partnership, changes in these areas fall short of the RLTC's requests.”

Work on the broader funding issues for transport is on going between government and Auckland authorities over the next couple of months.

“The government has signalled that more legislation could arise out of this work and that is something that Auckland will continue to push for,” says Ms Harland.

Announcements on the programme of work on transport issues between government and the Auckland region are expected in mid December.

ENDS

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