“Region And Government To Talk Constructively About Auckland Public Transport Solutions”

Thursday 5 October 2000

The Auckland region welcomes central government’s move to sit down and talk about finding joint solutions to Auckland’s public transport system tomorrow.

Top central government officials will meet with officers from Auckland local authorities and other bodies for a day of talks tomorrow, Friday 6 October, over how they can together make gains for public transport.

“We are very happy that government is showing a positive, keen interest at a detailed level,” said Mr Warren. “We cannot do it alone, we need central government’s input.”

The Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Heather Simpson has organised tomorrow’s meeting, following Transport Minister Mark Gosche’s talks with Auckland mayors two weeks ago. The meeting will discuss a range of short- and medium-term options for making improvements to Auckland’s public transport crisis. It will involve officials from the Prime Minster’s department and the Ministry of Transport as well as key officers from all of the region’s councils.

“The region has been studying, debating and exploring options to improve public transport for years, and it is significant that all of the region’s councils are committed to working together on the issue,” said Mr Warren.

“Besides working hard on negotiations over the rail corridor with Tranz Rail, we are implementing a comprehensive Action Plan for all passenger transport in the short, medium and long term. In fact our draft Ferry Strategy was released today.”

“We are pleased that government is also now prepared to get involved with the nitty-gritty and welcome them to work constructively with us and I am hopeful of a frank exchange of views.”
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For further information please call: Phil Warren, ARC Chairman phone 366 2000 x 7111
or Jo Mackay, community relations adviser, 366 2000 x 8041

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