Mayor to Minister: “Please explain”

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams has sent a “Please explain” message to Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

“I have asked the Minister to provide me with definitive information as to how integrated ticketing and the ferry terminal upgrade programme will be funded now that the Auckland regional fuel tax has been axed. These were two important public transport initiatives in the regional fuel tax plan, which seem to have dropped off the radar in this new replacement national fuel tax package.”

“Auckland leaders and councils have worked very hard for several years to get integrated ticketing up and running in the Auckland region, which will greatly improve connectivity between buses, trains and ferries. The Minister is not providing any detail as to how this will now be funded.”

“North Shore City was also looking forward to the upgrade of existing ferry terminals, and construction of additional ferry terminals. These also have been missing from any information announced by the Government.

“I have asked the Minister to inform me as to how our ferry programme will continue to be developed and have requested he copy this information to all his fellow North Shore Members of Parliament who include Prime Minister John Key, and Ministers Murray McCully, Wayne Mapp and Jonathan Coleman.”

The Mayor has asked the Minister for a response today.

ENDS

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