INDEPENDENT NEWS

Infrastructure Auckland - Auckland City fiasco

Published: Thu 19 Jul 2001 02:45 PM
Belinda Vernon
National Transport Spokesperson
19 July 2001
Infrastructure Auckland-Auckland City fiasco
Aucklanders will be disappointed at the apparent dysfunction between the Auckland City Council and Infrastructure Auckland over the future of public transport in the city, National's Transport spokesperson Belinda Vernon said today.
"Unfortunately yesterday's extraordinary chain of events just reinforces the perception that Auckland is incapable of sorting out its own problems. The sooner the two organisations resolve the confusion between them the better.
"It's Infrastructure Auckland's job to scrutinise rigorously applications before it. Its $410 million commitment to public transport is substantial but it can only be spent once. It is unclear how its allocation across stations, track, signals, electrification and park and ride is viewed by the various Auckland public transport partners.
"Auckland City needs confirmation from its council partners that they are prepared to see funding sacrificed from other parts of the overall project into the Waitemata Waterfront Interchange.
"The Government must also accept some responsibility for the mess. Its inability to conclude negotiations with Tranz Rail has provided Infrastructure Auckland with a reason for shackling its funding with conditions.
"Aucklanders are sick of the continuing on-again, off-again saga of sorting Auckland transport. In conjunction with a completed roading network, public transport is part of the solution to Auckland's transport woes.
"The region supports the need for a public transport network so its time to get on with it, " Belinda Vernon said.
Ends

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