ARC keen to work with government on Auckland public transport

16 March 2009

The Auckland Regional Council is keen to work with the government to deliver the public transport system that the Auckland region desperately needs.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to electrification and the purchase of electric trains,” said ARC Chairman Mike Lee.

“However, we are concerned that a “pause” in decision making will mean a loss of momentum – and raise questions about the fate of the current international tender process.

“This is about more than just electric trains and wires. Auckland’s public transport system also needs integrated ticketing, new railway stations, transport interchanges and ferry terminals.”

Mr Lee said while the government’s commitment to rail electrification is reassuring, a number of questions remain to be answered including how the funding shortfall for the balance of the region’s public transport infrastructure programme will be met.

“We have real concerns about whether the New Zealand Transport Agency will be able to bridge the gap on projects that would have been funded by the regional fuel tax. This includes the Newmarket station ($35 million) – which is half built – and an existing contract for diesel trains ($31 million) to help meet demand until new electric trains are in service.

“Funding will also need to be found for transport construction projects virtually ready to go. These include new stations at New Lynn ($13.6 million) and Manukau City ($14 million), and some ferry terminals on the North Shore and elsewhere ($37 million in total).

“And of course for integrated ticketing, for which an international tender is all but complete.”

Mr Lee said over the next five years, the ARC had planned to invest $257 million in public transport infrastructure in addition to the electric trains.

“$202 million of this was to be paid for by the regional fuel tax. With the tax now gone, we will need to find other ways to fund this that do not come back on the ratepayer.”

In the current financial year, the ARC has provided $83 million in capital funding for upgrading and expanding the public transport system, as well as $96 million in operating funding for public transport services.

ENDS

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