All options must be on table

All options for meeting Auckland’s transport needs should be considered, including reprioritising funding away from spending on motorways, says the Green Party. Mayor Len Brown is set to release a transport report by an independent advisory board, which outlines funding options including an increase in rates and fuel taxes and/or road tolls. “Aucklanders should have a debate about transport funding – but all options should be on the table, including fewer expensive roads,” says Julie Anne Genter, the Greens’ transport spokesperson. “We support people having an open debate, but it shouldn’t be restricted to funding. What gets funded should also be on the table. Aucklanders have the option of meeting transport needs without rate hikes, regional fuel taxes, road tolls or congestion charges. “The cost of implementing a congestion free network by 2030 is estimated at about $10 billion, which is 40 per cent less than Auckland’s integrated transport programme proposes to spend on new transport projects over the same time period.” Genter says motorway tolls and rate rises will be unnecessary if Auckland and central government make a congestion-free network the priority – and this hasn’t been presented as an option. “Huge patronage in public transport means Auckland needs investment in rail and improved bus services,” she says. “When more people can take buses and trains, and walk and cycle safely, existing roads work better. “Latest Auckland Transport data shows Aucklanders are flocking to public transport. Total use in September soared by 13.4 per cent on September 2013 while rail boardings lifted by 21 per cent. There were nearly 12 million Auckland rail boardings in the year to September.”