David Bennett MP National Party Associate Transport Spokesman

18 October 2007

Land Transport needs to address shortcomings

The 2007 survey of Land Transport New Zealand highlights major problems in the organisation, says National's Associate Transport spokesman, David Bennett

While LTNZ's overall rating was found favourable by 79% of respondents, there were key performance areas that were found wanting.

"Some 43% found provision of training was poor or neutral, 42% were concerned about facilitating collaboration between stakeholders in the land transport sector, 38% thought LTNZ's promotion of integrated land transport was poor or neutral, and 37% found promoting sustainable land transport was poor or neutral.

"The survey found 'inconsistent decision-making', a 'lack of balance of local, regional and national funding priorities', 'too much emphasis on cost-benefit ratios [rather] than wider benefits', and the 'time and cost involved in making applications', were areas that must be addressed.

"The survey found that bureaucracy, LTNZ's focus on procedures, and its inflexibility are the main reasons given for an unfavourable rating."

The report stated, 'addressing the perception that Land Transport NZ is inflexible, rule-bound and reactionary' must be a key focus.

"The Minister needs to show leadership here. The LTNZ is falling down in some critical areas while New Zealand's infrastructure slips ever further behind internationally."

ENDS

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