Significant room for improvement in land transport policy

The road transport industry is looking forward to the Select Committee and the consultative process knocking the rough edges off both the Land Transport Bill and its accompanying Strategy, Road Transport Forum NZ Chief Executive Officer Tony Friedlander says.

“The Land Transport Strategy’s heavy weighting towards environmental and social objectives are the result of strong Green Party influence in its drafting. Given this, we take comfort from the assurances given publicly and privately during the election campaign by Ministers that the Strategy will not result in increases in petrol taxes or road user charges,” Mr Friedlander says.

The deletion of economic efficiency from the principle objects of Transit and Transfund in the Bill will need to be addressed Mr Friedlander says. The present wording could open the door for poor quality expenditure decisions. “The Forum is sure no one wants this happening so we will be looking for appropriate improvements to the legislation before it is passed.

“The Bill and the Strategy provide a good starting point for the Government to consult with the business sector and wider community. The road transport industry is looking forward to contributing to this process.”

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