ARTA Media Release

Auckland Transport Plan landmark for transport sector

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today released its first Auckland Transport Plan (ATP), a breakthrough for forward planning and long-term transport investment decisions for the Auckland region.

The ATP unites the strategies, plans, projects and packages that have been developed by ARTA, Transit New Zealand, ONTRACK and local authorities to deliver an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system in Auckland.

ARTA’s General Manager, Strategy and Planning, Peter Clark says, “The ATP highlights the transport challenges Auckland faces and is the main mechanism for transforming the Regional Land Transport Strategy policies into actions.”

The key driver of development of Auckland’s transport system is the region’s growing population and economy.

“In 40 to 50 years, Auckland’s population will be at least two million and a world-class transport system will require a completed strategic roading network and a passenger transport network that can carry at least 200 million passenger transport trips a year between regional centres, at high frequencies and with reliable travel times,” says Mr Clark.

The projects and programmes described in the ATP will require funding of almost $17 billion over the next 10 years. This will be divided between roading (63%), passenger transport (31%) and travel demand management activities (6%).

“The Government’s decision to provide for a regional fuel tax means that the region will be able to proceed with improvements to passenger transport services, electrification of the rail network and key roading improvements such as completing the Western Ring Route and Penlink”, says Mr Clark.

Key Auckland projects (2006/07 to 2015/16) include:
• Electrification of the rail system
• Completion of key state highway projects, such as SH18 Greenhithe & Hobsonville deviations, SH20 Manukau and Mt Roskill extensions
• Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative projects
• Significant upgrade to regional cycle infrastructure
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Key expenditure items for Auckland (2006/07 to 2015/16) include:
• 31 billion for road maintenance
• 24 billion for local road new works
• 35 billion for state highway new works
• 23 billion for passenger transport services
• 16 billion for improvements to passenger transport
• 665 million for travel demand management, walking and cycling

The Auckland Transport Plan will next be revised in 2008.

ARTA's Auckland Transport Plan can be found at www.arta.co.nz or call ARTA on (09) 379 4422 for a hard copy.

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