George Wood: Transport developments reach a crucial turning point

OPINION: Auckland is at the crossroads in relation to transport planning with major plans for change in the melting pot.

It is very important that North Shore residents gain an understanding of issues and submit their views.

Three plans are being consulted upon that will result in a blueprint for the future of transport across the region.

It is interesting that three different organisations, namely the Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Transport Agency and the New Zealand Transport Agency, are completing these plans.

The big issue for the North Shore is the second Waitemata Harbour crossing, followed by getting better value for money from our ARC rates. North Shore residents contribute top dollar per capita and we deserve far greater say in how the money is spent.

The four big issues for the North Shore are whether: (i) a rail tunnel should be built under the Auckland CBD as a matter of priority, (ii) planning for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing is to be given a higher priority, (iii) public transport across Auckland should be given a major revamp and (iv) do North Shore residents see a move away from road building and greater emphasis on bus, metro rail and ferry commuting in the future.

The three consultation documents are:

- Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS). This is a revamp on a strategy completed in 2005. It puts far greater emphasis on public transport spending. The preferred strategy includes the CBD rail loop, rail to Auckland airport, extending the Northern Busway to Orewa, better bus connections in the Westgate and Manukau/Botany areas, integrated public transport ticketing and more frequent public transport services. See it at: consult.arc.govt.nz/portal/rlts_2010.

- New Zealand Transport Agency Draft NZTA farebox recovery policy consultation document.

This document looks at ways of capping spending on public transport. The Auckland region spends nearly $100 million a year on subsidising bus, ferry and metro rail services. This study sets out facts and figures on how we may get better value for money from this outlay. See the details at www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/farebox-recovery-policy/in dex.html.

- The Auckland Regional Transport Agency is preparing a draft public transport management plan.

This plan will be released by ARTA in the next couple of weeks. It will deal with all aspects of public transport including value for money and changes in how the ratepayers purchase bus, rail and ferry services from the various operators.

This is a first time for this document. Watch the ARTA website for more details www.arta.co.nz.

Please take some time and read and then submit on each document. There will be hearings on the RLTS plan in the New Year. Attend and make your views known.

I believe that the transport planners must be told in a clear and unequivocal way that we want to see better value for money from our regional rates. Call or email the ARC and ask that they send you a full copy of the draft RLTS.

Then complete your submission and ensure it arrives at the ARC by December 18. This is fairly easy and straightforward.

- George Wood is a former three-term North Shore mayor and was instrumental in getting the Northern Busway built.

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