17 March 2006
Business Council urges more speed in addressing
Auckland congestion
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development welcomes the continued discussion and resolve to find a
solution for Auckland’s congestion which impedes commuters every day.
Peter Neilson, Chief Executive of the Business Council said: “Today’s report on the findings of the Auckland Road
Pricing Study confirms what we already know - that the city’s congestion is not going to be remedied by a re-arrangement
of deckchairs on the Titanic.
“The five options provided by the discussion paper present solutions which have reduced car usage in other cities around
the world notably Melbourne and London where well advanced public transport systems were already in place. In contrast a
congestion charge or parking levy in Auckland would need to be accompanied by a significant increase in bus, train or
ferry utilisation to reduce the number of cars on the city’s roads. The study assumes that funding is available for this
required increase in public transport.”
The Business Council supports the introduction of economic incentives to change people’s behaviour and to encourage
people to consider alternative forms of transport however these need to be in place before any road charge is
introduced. Money raised by road pricing must clearly be directed back into sustainable transport projects if this is
not to be seen as a revenue earner for government.
The report itself highlights the importance of the next stage and the need to design a solution carefully because each
of the options will deliver different results and have different impacts. The Government has left its options open about
its preference or recommendations however doing nothing is not one of its options.
Neilson added: “We welcomed the launch of this study back in December 2003 and suggested at that time some early things
that could be done immediately to reduce the road gridlock such as the introduction of hot lanes. These are lanes on the
existing motorway or arterial routes which are reserved for high occupancy vehicles that can use the lane for free and
other vehicles that pay a toll to use the road. Our proposal to Government about how they might incentivise low
emission/low fuel usage vehicles develops this further.
“Congestion has in fact worsened over the period and it is of concern that the study aims to ensure that 2016 congestion
levels will be as good as 2012 levels. This assumes that things will get worse before they get slightly better.”
The Business Council will now develop a more detailed response to the study and will continue to work with local and
national government to develop the best solution for Auckland.
ENDS