The Mayor has announced that he wants to double the number of Aucklanders using public transport within 10 years.

The launch of a study on how best to achieve that is one of five initiatives announced by Len Brown this morning.

The announcement came as the Mayor started taking the train to work on a regular basis to show his commitment to public transport.

This morning Len Brown took the 8:09am train from Papatoetoe Station to Britomart.

Auckland Transport figures show Aucklanders currently take 63 million trips a year. The Mayor wants to see that increase to 150 million trips a year by 2021. Factors that will encourage that include integrated ticketing and electric trains as well as the completion of the CBD rail link.

Other initiatives announced this morning include a study into how to encourage alternatives means of transport such as walking and cycling, as well as ferries.

"Much of the focus in Auckland at the moment is on modes of public transport such as trains and buses," says Len Brown. "I want to encourage as many Aucklanders as possible that walking and cycling are safe and effective alternatives to private cars.

"I also think we can be doing more than we are at the moment to extend the ferry network and put it within the reach of more Aucklanders," he says.

The Mayor has also announced plans to significantly increase the number of schools with school transport plans.

He has also asked Auckland Transport for a review of bus and high occupancy vehicle lanes to identify potential improvements.

ENDS

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