Transit New Zealand
National Office
Media Release

4 April 2007

Transit decides not to proceed with Western Ring Route toll concept

The Transit New Zealand Board today resolved not to progress with further development of a toll concept to bring forward the opening of the Western Ring Route.

The Board made the decision at its April Board meeting following deliberations on the outcomes of extensive consultation with the Auckland public and key stakeholders.

Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said that analysis of the public responses and stakeholder submissions showed a strong preference for investigating funding sources other than tolling to bring forward the opening of the Western Ring Route.

"We understand the Government is currently reviewing other potential funding policy options for Auckland transport solutions," said Mr van Barneveld.

In addition to the feedback on funding, a number of significant issues were raised in relation to specific aspects of the Western Ring Route toll concept Transit put forward for consultation," said Mr Van Barneveld.

On balance, and after careful consideration of the public responses and the stakeholder submissions, the Transit Board's view is that it will be too difficult to satisfactorily address those “ at times, competing “ issues while maintaining a feasible business case for tolling the Western Ring Route. For this reason, the Board has decided not to progress with the toll proposal at this time.

We were quite genuinely committed to meaningful engagement with the community on our toll concept for the Western Ring Route and we value the significant level of public and stakeholder involvement in the consultation, said Mr van Barneveld.

We received over 21,500 response forms and submissions, which I think demonstrates the considerable interest Auckland has in this issue and proves the value of the consultation process.

Mr van Barneveld said Transit is committed to delivering state highway projects in Auckland as part of an integrated land transport solution. He stressed that the decision taken by the Board not to further develop the toll concept would not affect those individual projects within the Western Ring Route for which funding is already secured.

ENDS
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