15 July 2013

CPAG welcomes alternatives to transport woes

Child Poverty Action Group welcomes report on alternative solutions to Auckland's transport woes.

Child Poverty Action Group has welcomed the report of the Auckland Alternative Transport Funding Consensus Building Group. The report signals that any road pricing scheme for Auckland must first put in place significant and tangible improvements in affordable public transport.

The report is the outcome of negotiation between different community groups and public feedback.

CPAG spokesperson Donna Wynd says the group has tried to strike a balance between raising funds and ability to pay. The group suggests a road pricing option that could be implemented either through a motorway network charge or a cordon charge.

Wynd says there are many considerations concerning Auckland transport referring to costs and traffic congestion. "A road pricing scheme would not only raise revenue but would also help manage congestion during the peak."

However congestion is not the only issue. "Transport is about access to jobs, services and recreation for everyone. It is important that families who are already isolated by the high cost of transport are not further disadvantaged by road pricing.

"The report makes clear that before any road pricing scheme is introduced Auckland first needs to put in place significant and tangible improvements in affordable public transport as well as cycling and walking infrastructure. For people with limited ability to pay there must be viable alternatives in place," said Ms Wynd.

"While the public feedback generally endorsed the user-pays aspect of road pricing, the report also makes clear that the impact on low-income households needs to be mitigated."

ENDS

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