With the pause afforded us by Covid-19, maybe it is also time for a rethink of some of our major infrastructure projects
planned for the coming years. We do need to get our country moving again. We do need to create jobs. We do need to buy
New Zealand Made.
One project that springs to mind immediately is the transport system in Auckland. For years, since the beginning of
discussions around the need for an efficient CBD to airport transport link and suburban system, we have had a New
Zealand designed two directional elevated option on the table. Some of the advantages of this option are:
Lower CostsLess land requiredFaster to buildLow Capital CostLow Operating Cost, little or no operating subsidy neededViable with physical distancing/passenger isolationSuperior Passenger ServiceAvailable 24/7, no timetables neededHalf the journey time in peak hours1-4 minutes waitingFares similar to busesEnvironmentally BenignNo CO2 or particulate emissionsWhisper quietLess land disruptionReduces CongestionNo interference with road trafficIntegrates at stations with other modes of transportRevenue and Employment Generating PotentialFor the designer, SkyCabs International LtdFor the Construction ConsortiumFor the Owner/OperatorGovernment income from GST, company and income taxAll New Zealand MadeManufactured in New Zealand with NZ resourcesCreating jobs for New ZealandersBuilding a huge potential for an ongoing export industry
At this time, rather than repeating the current expensive, hugely disruptive, traffic congesting, inefficient ancient
technology, we should look to turbo boosting local manufacturing to stimulate the economy, spending less overseas funds,
and decreasing our debt, moving into the future with new ideas, increasing exports and decreasing imports. All this is
possible with this alternative NZ designed option.
“We need to get into the 21st century with our thinking, stimulate our economy with New Zealand made, and increase our
export potential with pollution solutions,” says Leighton Baker, New Conservative Leader. “And SkyCabs meets all these
requirements and should be evaluated.”
“Why does the government refuse to give this serious consideration?” Baker asks.