The National Government’s decision to scrap two planned rail lines in Auckland shows it is giving up on a city-wide rail network in Auckland, and on thousands of commuters who sit in traffic jams every single day, the Green Party said today. 

The Government needs to urgently ramp-up investment in Auckland's bus and rail network before it slaps a charge on Aucklanders travelling on congested motorways, the Green Party said today.

The Green Party is welcoming the long awaited start to construction of the City Rail Link (CRL) today as the first step to creating a faster and cleaner transport system in Auckland. “The CRL is great for Auckland and shows what can be done when people get behind a transformative project,” Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “Aucklanders don’t want to spend their time sitting in traffic jams, and we know that better investment in rail, bus, cycling,...

The Green Party today announced a plan to get half of New Zealand’s freight moving by rail and sea within 10 years, and dramatically reduce the number of dangerous trucks clogging up New Zealand’s roads. “National’s single-minded focus on a few expensive highways is downright irresponsible, and will ultimately force more and more trucks onto New Zealand roads,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “National spends five times more on a few low-value motorways than it does on...

Simon Bridges’ lacklustre electric vehicle announcement today will do little to increase the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads, the Green Party said today. “Sadly, National has failed to make electric cars more affordable and accessible for New Zealanders,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “The policy is actually unfair and counterproductive. Those wealthy enough to afford electric vehicles will be exempt from paying to maintain the roads we all drive on, and will be allowed...

27 April 2016 National should let KiwiRail compete for funding from the enormous roading budget and scrap the two-tiered funding system which grossly favour costly highway projects, the Green Party said today. The comments come following a report by KiwiRail showing it considered shutting down its entire freight business to meet the Government’s requirements to deliver a short-term profit. “The $3 billion a year in National’s transport budget should be opened-up to be invested in rail, not just roads," said...

Wellington bus operator Infratil’s decision to repower its iconic electric trolley buses with electric drivetrains is a victory for the environment and all those who campaigned to keep clean buses in the capital, the Green Party said. “Electric buses will be excellent for Wellington’s air quality and for reducing our contribution to climate pollution,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “I want to congratulate Infratil for making a good decision, and also congratulate the people who signed postcards...

The Green Party today announced a new Safe to School plan, which aims to dramatically increase the number of young people biking and walking to school. The campaign calls for a 30 km/h speed limit outside all urban schools, and an 80 km/h speed limit around rural New Zealand schools, with the limit dropping to 30km/h during school hours. Our plan would see these changes introduced over three years. Local authorities, in conjunction with schools, will also be able to...

The National Government’s lack of a plan to shift New Zealand to electric vehicles will have contributed to Nissan’s decision to stop selling its Leaf electric car new in New Zealand, the Green Party said. The Nissan Leaf was formerly the most affordable electric car (EV) available new in New Zealand. “There is a huge opportunity for electric vehicles to cut our contribution to climate pollution and our $6 billion annual oil import bill but the National Government is being...

It’s time for Transport Minister Simon Bridges to stop having photos taken of him opening electric charging stations, and deliver actual policy to get more electric vehicles on our roads, the Green Party says. Transport Minister Simon Bridges is opening another electric vehicle charging station at Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga today. “At this rate, there’ll soon be more photos of Simon Bridges opening charging stations than electric vehicles on our roads,” said Green Party Transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter....