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It’s simple – travel plans save money
Media Release
24 April, 2007
Waitakere City Council’s visionary travel plan acknowledged
It’s simple – travel plans save money.
This was one of the key points made by Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) chief executive, Fergus Gammie, as he presented a certificate to the Waitakere City Council acknowledging its visionary transport strategy.
The certificate congratulates the council on its Workplace Travel Plan and becoming a recognised TravelWise workplace in which staff are encouraged to find alternatives to "one-person one car" as their means of getting to and from work.
What people need to realise, says Mr Gammie, is that the work and school travel plans being developed in New Zealand are very cost effective.
“Waitakere really is leading the way and we are very pleased to be working in partnership with you,” Mr Gammie says.
Since introducing its travel plan in September 2006, when it relocated to Waitakere Central, the council has noticed a significant and positive change in the transport options used by staff.
Waitakere City Councillor Penny Hulse says the move to Henderson has made public transport a more attractive option for everyone working at the council.
“The travel plan project has been hugely successful so far and everyone involved should feel very pleased with the results,” Cr Hulse says.
Eighteen per cent more staff are now using sustainable transport – like carpooling, public transport, walking or cycling – than they did before the travel plan was introduced.
This translates to 126 tonnes less carbon dioxide being emitted annually.
Public transport usage among both council staff and the general public in Waitakere is expected to increase as the double-tracking of the region's railway lines progresses and the service becomes faster and more frequent.
By providing those who carpool with preferential parking the council is encouraging staff towards more eco-friendly transport options.
Waitakere City Council has also begun using a pilot carpool software programme – Rideshare which was provided to it, free-of-charge by ARTA.
TravelWise Rideshare allows staff a quick and secure way to find carpooling partners by matching people based on their location, working hours and other preferences.
More information on TravelWise can be found at http://www.travelwise.org.nz/
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