Positive results for transport in Auckland

Auckland’s public transport use continues to rise, people are feeling safer and congestion is easing in the evening a report to the Regional Transport Committee confirms.

A report on progress against the Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) set in 2005 confirms that while public transport subsidies rose by 14 per cent last year they encouraged just over 58.6 million trips by rail, bus and ferry, an increase of almost 8 per cent over last year.

“Support for public transport is still growing, and we need to ensure we continue to invest to encourage this positive trend,” says Councillor Christine Rose, chair of the committee.

“An increase of 4.2 million boardings over 12 months is excellent. It proves that if you invest in public transport infrastructure and provide reliable services, people will make the switch and choose to take a bus, train or ferry.”

The number of road fatalities recorded in the region was the lowest for 28 years – 55 deaths were recorded in 2008 compared to 61 in 2007.

“The number of people dying on our roads is still too high, but the trend is heading in the right direction. We need to keep up road safety campaigns to improve driver behaviour and work to reduce safety risks by better design,” says Cr Rose.

Commuters experience the greatest delays in the morning peak while travel home is easing.

“Congestion is difficult to measure as there are so many variables, such as road works, school holidays and petrol price increases,” says Cr Rose.

“We need to reduce the amount of time people spend in traffic as it has an impact on Auckland’s economy – freight needs to move freely and people must be able to get on with their business.”

Almost 20 per cent of trips made in Auckland are 2km or shorter, and around half of these trips are made by walking. Trips to school account for almost a third of trips in the morning peak, and just over 50 per cent are made by car.

Regional programmes are encouraging people out of their cars. The region’s 262 walking school buses have reduced car trips to school by around 5,000 trips each morning. School, university and workplace travel plans in 42 workplaces have together reduced morning car trips by around 6,500 trips.

Air pollution from motor vehicles continues to be an issue, with fine particulates and nitrogen oxides exceeding air quality targets, although the long term trend is for improvements in both these measures.

The RLTS is a legislative requirement and sets the direction for transport over a 30 year period. Progress is measured regularly against the outcomes sought by the strategy.

Auckland’s RLTS is undergoing a review and public hearings are complete on the draft strategy. The ARC will consider a new RLTS, including new targets for air quality, congestion, walking and cycling and public transport use at its meeting in April 2010.

ENDS

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