Ardern Outlines Labour’s Light Rail Plan
New Zealand’s Labour is promising to build a 20km light rail line from the city to the airport as a priority - partly funded by higher petrol prices - leader Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday.
She says Labour will build light rail from Wynyard Quarter to Mt Roskill within four years, followed by light rail from Mt Roskill to the airport and light rail to West Auckland within 10 years.
This will be followed by light rail from the city to the North Shore, Ardern announced at Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the proposed city terminus for the multi-billion-dollar scheme.
“I believe Labour’s plan is a gamechanger. It will reduce the NZ$2billion a year that congestion costs Auckland.
It will realise Auckland’s potential to be a truly world class city,” said Ms Ardern.
She said Labour will give Auckland Council the power to introduce a regional petrol tax - understood to be 10 cents a litre - to help pay for light rail. Infrastructure bonds and targeted rates will also be used to fund transport in Auckland.
A world class city needs a rail connection from the CBD to its international airport - that’s why Labour will build light rail to Auckland Airport as a priority, said Ardern.
“Let’s get Auckland moving by building a light rail network and accelerating investment in heavy rail and bus rapid transit. This is crucial to Auckland’s future growth.”
Ms Ardern also announced plans for a Bus Rapid Transit service connecting the airport and East Auckland, and a third main trunk rail line to serve the commuter and freight rail traffic.
Labour plans to free up money by scaling back the Government’s proposed east-west link through Auckland’s industrial belt, costed at between NZ$1.25bln and $NZ1.85bln. “Investing in high quality modern public transport is the best way to unclog our roads.
“This will ensure Auckland can grow and meet the needs of all who live and work in this great city.
“It’s time to get on with it. It’s time to get Auckland moving. Let’s do this,” said Ms Ardern.
Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesman Phil Twyford said the party’s plans had been influenced by the lobby group, Greater Auckland, which proposes a congestion-free network, including light rail to the airport. He said Labour was going to build an Auckland where you do not have to own a car to live.