Pressure grows to dump commercial model for Auckland transport

The Government should throw out its plan to run Auckland transport like a private company controlled from Wellington, says Labour Spokesperson on Auckland Issues, Phil Twyford.

Phil Twyford says the Government's intention to set up a corporate to run Auckland transport has come under fire from all sides during public submissions on the third super city bill.

"We heard Michael Barnett, the CEO of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce; say an unaccountable unelected commercial structure for transport is unacceptable. He said accountability for better transport infrastructure and services should rest with the elected politicians.

"Earlier in the week most of Auckland's mayors argued against it. ARC Chairman Mike Lee made the point that transport is not a profit-earner, it is a form of social provision. A commercial structure just isn't appropriate.

"An estimated 54% of Aucklanders' rates will be spent on transport. Yet the transport agency spending that money will be controlled from Wellington, with Transport Minister Steven Joyce appointing the majority of its directors.

"Government officials from Treasury, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Environment, and the Department of Internal Affairs' local government unit, all advised the Government against setting up transport as a stand-alone commercial entity.

“The Prime Minister should tell Aucklanders why he is going ahead with this plan when his officials advised against it and its clear that Auckland doesn’t want it?

"Transport is the big thing Aucklanders want to see progress on. If it is run by an arms length corporate then it will be that much harder for Aucklanders to hold accountable their elected representatives for the improvements they want.

"The Government's super city model takes all transport decision making out of the hands of elected representatives and gives it to hand-picked appointees who can run the whole business behind the veil of commercial secrecy. No agendas or minutes published, and no open meetings.

"Local boards elected by the people won't be able to paint a yellow line down the side of the road. And yet the Government's unelected transport agency will be able to make by-laws without any regard to the elected Auckland Council."

ENDS

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