Debate drives direction for transport in the east

Auckland City’s Transport and Urban Linkages Committee has agreed with the new direction for the eastern transit initiative.

At its meeting yesterday, the committee agreed to a new brief and a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the project.

Within Auckland City’s boundaries, the revised project brief will focus on: an emphasis on the development of passenger transport, cycle and walking arterial road improvements within the Glen Innes and Panmure localities bus priority measures and development of a new Panmure rail station.

“The new scope of the project will see the growth opportunities unleashed in the city’s eastern suburbs,” says Councillor Richard Simpson, chairperson, Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.

The MOU includes the Transit New Zealand, Auckland and Manukau city councils and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), ensuring a complete package of transport initiatives can be identified and actioned.

“It is crucial to have all four parties involved with equal levels of influence for the project to progress and succeed at providing people with real transport opportunities,” says Mr Simpson.

“The four project partners have distinctive roles but need to work together to provide solutions that deliver.

“Auckland and Manukau cities will be addressing local road needs, Transit will be concerned with connections to the state highway network, while ARTA is tasked with delivering a strong passenger transport system.

“By working together, synergy will be created and the project will deliver better transport connections locally and regionally,’ says Mr Simpson.

“We need to ensure this project delivers an integrated transport solution where efficiency, accessibility and affordability are prioritised – an approach that maximises complementary passenger transport and roading projects to provide travel choices for people.”

Manukau City Council’s transport committee and the boards of Transit New Zealand and ARTA are still to consider the revised project scope and MOU.

Ends

Note to editors: The revised project scope and MOU can be found in full at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz under the committee’s agenda.

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