Regional Land Transport Committee:
Reaching transport consensus
20 April, 2007

Auckland’s Regional Land Transport Committee welcomes the report released today by the Auckland Transport Strategic Alignment Project steering group.

“This another milestone on the path towards consensus - which hasn’t been a word associated with Auckland transport in the past,” RLTC chairman Joel Cayford says.

The project seeks to get agreement by both central and local government leaders on the strategic, long-term development of Auckland’s land transport system. Today’s report, now to be considered by political leaders, says a substantial shift to public transport is needed, starting immediately.

That recommendation dovetails with the 10-year strategy prepared by the Regional Land Transport Committee in 2005, which is backed by all of the region’s councils. The strategy’s call for public transport investment was somewhat controversial at the time, as it challenged the region’s previous emphasis on road building.

RLTC chairman Joel Cayford says: “It’s encouraging that top mandarins have reached a similar conclusion – so Auckland is on the right track. They have also offered recommendations about how to strengthen our strategy, which can be considered as we review the document and extend its timeframe out from 10-years to 30 to 50 years.

“The high-level constructive engagement between local and central government as part of the Alignment Project is a very welcome development within the transport sector. I thank central government officials for their work so far and look forward to continuing collaboration.”

ENDS

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