NEWS RELEASE

28 June 2001

Auckland City Getting On With Rapid Transit

After getting a clear message from Aucklanders that it should “just get on with it”, Auckland City Council has approved spending $3.5 million on progressing plans for rapid transit in the financial year that starts on 1 July.

The budget includes the Council’s contribution to the Auckland regional rail project as well as planning and consultation for a Central Rapid Transit Corridor between Queen Street and Newmarket.

It also includes the Council’s contribution to the costs of Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited, the company jointly established by councils to own and manage the region’s rail assets.

Chairwoman of the Council’s Transport and Roading Committee, Councillor Catherine Harland, says the clear message from submissions to the Council’s draft Annual Plan is that now is time for action.

“People are also emphatic that we do it properly and don’t take shortcuts.”

She says this year’s budget for the rail project reflects the importance of thorough planning for an investment that would shape Auckland’s future. “Rapid transit is the tool that will enable Auckland to manage its future growth in a sustainable way.

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“We’re talking about an investment for the next 50 years and we must get it right.”

More than 1600 Aucklanders used the Annual Plan submission process to have a say on transport. Of these, 1300 (more than 80%) supported the rapid transport initiatives included in the draft Annual Plan.

In addition to the budget allocated to planning for rapid transport, Auckland City Council has allocated $6 million for improvements to public transport. These include bus priority measures, real time bus information, park and ride, station upgrades, new bus stops and cycleways.

The Council has allocated over $40 million to roading improvements in the 2001-2002 financial year.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

- Councillor Catherine Harland, tel: 636 8464

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