National drags its feet on airport rail

Documents obtained by the Green Party show the National government has quietly delayed work to protect the route for light rail to the airport from development, having previously said it was being urgently progressed, the Green Party said today.

A briefing to Transport Minister Simon Bridges in March said a business case for route protection for the CBD to airport corridor would be completed in 2017.  https://archive.greens.org.nz/file/nzta-oia-responsepdfAn Official Information Act response from the NZ Transport Agency in July said that “completion of business case work for protection is now late 2018”.

"Simon Bridges is essentially saying one thing to the public and doing another. Spending almost two years on a business case just to protect the route for light rail hardly sounds like urgency to me," said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“Light rail to the airport is the most urgently needed transport project in Auckland, and it should be starting this year, not in 30 years’ time as National is planning.

“Auckland Transport has already completed business cases demonstrating the positive economic benefits of light rail to the airport; it shouldn’t take another 18 months to complete this final stage.

“The Green Party has committed to building light rail to the Airport by 2021. This is an ambitious goal that will require unprecedented cooperation between Government and Council, and we can make this happen.

“A new rail line will give people the freedom to by-pass congested roads and travel from the city to Dominion Rd and the airport easily and quickly.

“Light rail will mean far more consistent and shorter travel times for people travelling to and from the airport and surrounding suburbs,” said Ms Genter.

Latest Transport Announcements

Story

Green initiative addresses both climate and inequality

A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower...
Read More

Story

Greens on board with more affordable buses and trains

The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all...
Read More

Story

Government needs to broaden KiwiRail inquiry focus

The Green Party is calling on the Government to broaden the focus of its inquiry into KiwiRail, after widespread disruption in Auckland.
Read More

Story

Lower North Island rail on the right track, but more investment needed

Government investment in a new fleet of trains in the lower North Island is another win for Green Party solutions - but much more ambition will be ...
Read More

Story

Waitematā Harbour crossing options not good enough

Rapid transit for the Waitematā Harbour crossing must be the priority - not more car lanes that will make congestion and climate change worse.
Read More

Story

Greens secure win for clean transport

The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules.
Read More