Generation Zero responds to release of ATAP report

Thursday, 15 September 2016, 5:10 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

Thursday 15 September
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Generation Zero responds to release of ATAP report

Generation Zero welcomes the release of the Auckland Transport Alignment report, which was publically released this afternoon.

“This report marks a historic agreement between the Government & Auckland Council that will allow us to get on with solving Auckland’s transport issues.

It is great to see the government finally get on board with the vision for a citywide rapid transit network for Auckland. Generation Zero have been pushing for over 3 years with the Congestion Free Network.

The most important part of the report to focus on today is the projects prioritised for the next decade. It’s great to see the North Western Busway and Pukekohe electrification given the priority they need. However we a dissapointed to see an airport rail link is still 10 to 20 years away. Aucklanders would have liked to have seen more urgent improvements to public transport across the city.

We also welcome the acknowledgement that extra funding is required for Auckland to have a world class transport network. Given changing vehicle & fuel technologies it is inevitable that we need to move towards some form of road pricing in the future.

However we would have liked to have seen extra short term funding in the form of a regional fuel tax. This would help us fast forward the construction of key public transport improvements to ensure all Aucklanders have access to high quality alternatives before the implementation of more widespread road pricing.

Our only disappointment with the ATAP report is its continued focus on motorway widening and building. Auckland has been continuously widening & building motorways for over 60 years. We would much prefer a faster implementation of the rapid transit network, with road projects re-evaluated once key rapid transit links were built. Also controversial and incredibly costly projects like the East West link were not included in the process. “

ENDS

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