Transport head thanks industry
A top government official has sent a message of support and thanks to organisations working to keep New Zealand’s transport system open.
Peter Mersi, chief executive of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and secretary for transport, says: “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to those who have been working with us to ensure the transport system continues to deliver essential services for New Zealanders.
“In many cases, this has been through a period where your businesses and livelihoods have been threatened. Your professionalism and commitment to New Zealand is remarkable.”
He says the impact of Covid-19 is going to be significant and will affect the country for some time, and – with the declaration of alert level four – everything must be done break the chain of community transmission by restricting the number of people who must be out and about. He adds this includes limiting travel when possible, supporting social distancing and encouraging good hygiene.
“The MoT is doing a range of work to ensure New Zealand is well-positioned to respond to and recover from Covid-19,” says Mersi, pictured, in his email to industry. “We are focusing on ensuring the country’s freight, air, marine and public-transport systems continue to move essential freight and people.
“Transport is essential when it’s supporting life, such as supplying or moving food, medicine, fuel or other supplies, or when it keeps other essential services running. We are also continuing work, albeit scaled back, on the medium and longer-term work necessary for New Zealand’s transport system.”
The MoT’s immediate aim is to provide support when possible, “so you are well-placed to respond as the situation changes over coming weeks and months, and we also want to make sure we can address enquiries as efficiently as possible.”
If people need to get in touch about essential transport, in the first instance they should email essentialtransport@transport.govt.nz. Guidance and advice about what services and travel are essential is available online at www.transport.govt.nz – then click through to the Covid-19 page.
“We will continue to update the guidance and advice as we receive more information, and as the government makes decisions,” says Mersi. “Essential services workers in transport are doing great and necessary work on behalf of all New Zealanders. I’m heartened by employers’ efforts to keep workers safe and the way all participants in the transport system have responded in a time of need. Thank you.”
