Go ARTA . Hopes it can hit the roads running

Go ARTA . Hopes it can hit the roads running

Go ARTA, says the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern). The start up of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today is welcome, said Alasdair Thompson, EMA’s chief executive.

“Business is keen to see rapid progress with new bus services introduced on the North Shore Bus lanes, and better rail services,” Mr Thompson said.

“To become a successful public transport operator, ARTA needs Auckland’s current Land Transport Strategy to be completed with heightened urgency, particularly so it can run more bus routes more frequently and more efficiently, as well as for the sake of lower cost commercial transport.

“So the advent of ARTA should not divert attention away from the fact that Auckland needs its agreed road projects completed expeditiously.

“Along with the construction underway, these are the Avondale extension, the Harbour Bridge to city, the Hobsonville deviation and the second Manukau harbour crossing.

“With ARTA’s focus on public transport, Transit New Zealand and Transfund (and the new Land Transport New Zealand) must also lift their game to ensure every cent allocated in this year’s budget for Auckland’s roads is invested as planned.

“A repeat of last year’s under spending of $120 million would be intolerable, for transport users and a risk for Government.”

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