Still waiting for the (electric) train

30 September 2009

Tomorrow’s three cent national fuel tax rise will do nothing to help fund electric trains in Auckland, says ARC Chairman Mike Lee.

“If the Government had left things as they were, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) would have been announcing the winning tender for 140 new electric train units in November, following a regional fuel tax increase of just one cent in July.

“Instead we have increasing national fuel taxes and a lot more money for provincial roads, at the expense of any money for Auckland’s electric trains.

“The Minister is more than happy to plough $2.3 billion into the holiday highway between Puhoi and Wellsford without any cost benefit analysis.

“However, he seems to be studiously ignoring report after report supporting electrification, a CBD loop rail tunnel, and rail link from the city to the airport – all of which would cost less than the $2.3 billion, and benefit tens of thousands of Aucklanders in their daily commute.

“Come on Minister –enough of this double standard. Auckland needs electric trains right now, not a holiday highway.”

On Monday, the ARC couriered to the Minister a consignment of planning and strategy documents compiled since 1999 supporting electrification of Auckland rail and a CBD loop rail tunnel.

ENDS

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