Mayoral candidate reveals savings to be made on Inner City Rail Loop

Significant savings could be made under the new Super City council when it comes to finishing the inner city rail loop according to Mayoral candidate Colin Craig.

Mr Craig, who has endorsed the idea of a Point to Point shuttle system says that although he believes Personal Rapid Transit would be the best option for Auckland in terms of public transport, savings around our existing rail system are still possible for important projects like the inner-city rail loop.

“If recent surveys are anything to go by, completion of the inner-city rail loop is what Aucklanders see as the most important rail project to get Auckland moving. If we are to get on to this in a time where budgets are tight, we should be looking at ways to minimise the expenses where we can without compromising on quality,” says Mr Craig.

Transport solutions designer at Auckland Transport Consultancy, Stephen Greenfield, has identified a route for the Inner City loop that he suggests will not only save money, but can also be built in one third of the time.

“The route would follow ARTA’s identified route from Britomart under Albert Street but would stop at stations on Victoria Street, Queen Street, Kitchener Street-Albert Park and Stanley Street, before joining the current track at Parnell Rise,” explains Mr Greenfield.

Mr Craig says that the above proposed route for the inner city loop would be especially beneficial for students and those who use public transport services in and around the Symonds Street ridge, taking the pressure off the heavily loaded buses around peak times.

“There is no point in pursuing options that we cannot afford. Sensible, problem solving options, like the Albert park rail route make far more sense when it comes to spending ratepayer money.”

An integrated public transport system that could potentially be more cost efficient to run as well as easier on the pockets of public transport users is also something Mr Craig is looking in to.

“I’ve spoken with Mr Greenfield from Auckland Transport consultancy to explore ways in which we can improve the current public transport situation. This would include more train services, improving the frequency of all public transport services, one easy fare system and ensuring that these transport services are available throughout the Auckland Super city region.”

To make sure that all possible solutions to Auckland’s public transport woes are explored, Mr Craig would like to see that options are considered without bias before being dismissed.

“It’s not about favourites but affordable solutions with the best outcomes,” says Mr Craig.

“I recently proposed a point to point shuttle system for exactly that reason – we need the best solutions for the city; ones that work and ones that we can afford.”

Colin Craig is standing as an independent candidate for the Super City mayoralty with a focus on fiscal responsibility, voter fairness, a more efficient and fair solution to the Leaky Homes Crisis and giving local power to local boards.

Voting papers for the new Auckland Super City council are out now and voting closes at 12pm Saturday October 9th.

For further information or a copy of the latest flyer with more detail about Point to Point shuttle systems visit www.votecolincraig.co.nz

ENDS

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