Budget 2014 missed opportunity for transport in Auckland

Thursday, 15 May 2014, 3:48 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

May 15 2014

Budget 2014 missed opportunity for transport in Auckland with delay of City Rail Link

Youth organisation Generation Zero believe that the government have taken a backwards step by announcing over $800 million on new motorway projects in Auckland without funding the City Rail Link.

The 2014 Budget announced a $375 million interest-free loan to accelerate a set of Auckland motorway projects worth an estimated total of $815 million.

Spokesperson for Generation Zero, Dr Sudhvir Singh explains “The City Rail Link has been identified by the people of Auckland as the top priority for transport in Auckland, yet the government has missed another opportunity to fund this essential piece of infrastructure in favour of largely unnecessary roading projects.”

Auckland Council aims to complete the City Rail Link by 2021, as without it the City Centre Future Access Study shows that traffic in Auckland would grind to a halt. $800 million equates to almost half of the government contribution to the $2 billion project.

Dr Singh; “The City Rail Link will unlock the entire transport system, allowing five minute frequencies on existing rail lines, opening three new stations, and providing the capacity to extend the rail network to the airport and the North Shore.”

The City Rail Link would be the first step of a region-wide Congestion Free Network which would provide Auckland with a world class transport system at half the cost of the current Integrated Transport Programme.

Singh; “the solution to Auckland’s traffic problems is to free up our roading network by offering people choices. The City Rail Link would offer Aucklanders a reliable public transport option. Instead the government has committed Auckland to more expensive motorways, which will only encourage more traffic, more carbon pollution and more urban sprawl.”

About Generation Zero:
Generation Zero is an organisation of young New Zealanders working to cut carbon pollution through smarter transport, liveable cities and independence from fossil fuels.
www.generationzero.org.nz

ENDS

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