18 December 2014

Govt spend on transport out of step with reality

The National Government is planning to allocate ever increasing amounts of taxpayer funding to build expensive new motorways despite record numbers of New Zealanders flocking to buses and trains, said the Green Party.

The Government released its Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2015/16-2024/25 (GPS) today. This statement sets the parameters for a $39 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport networks over the next ten years.

“The National Government is investing over $33 billion in roads over the next ten years when vehicle use has stopped growing,” says Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“National has failed to change its direction of investment to meet the reality of how Kiwis are travelling.

“National’s transport policy statement is a failed opportunity to give Kiwis the transport choice they want.

“Spending over $33 billion on roads over the next ten years while only investing $5 billion into alternatives like rail, bus rapid transit, walking, and cycling is a huge misallocation of resources and will stifle the big gains we can be making in the efficiency and sustainability of our transport systems.

“In Auckland, the current rail system is being pushed to its breaking point while National delays funding the long-term solution – the Auckland City Rail Link.

“Auckland can become an efficient, sustainable city with a train every five minutes, but that can’t happen until the Government invests in the City Rail Link.

“In Wellington, low value roads like Transmission Gully, are being prioritised over light rail to the airport.

“Investment in transport infrastructure like expensive, new motorways locks us in to a future that will increase climate pollution and reduce choice for getting around our towns and cities.”

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