Generation Zero welcomes adoption of Congestion Free Network

Thursday, 7 August 2014, 11:38 am
Press Release: Generation Zero

7 August 2014

Generation Zero welcomes adoption of Congestion Free Network

National youth organisation Generation Zero has welcomed the Green Party’s commitment to implementing the Congestion Free Network proposed last year by Generation Zero and Transport Blog.

The Congestion Free Network is a comprehensive plan for an affordable integrated public transport system in Auckland, with high frequency bus and rail lines physically separated from traffic congestion.

Spokesperson Sudhvir Singh said: “We want to congratulate the Greens for being the first party to commit to implementing our Congestion Free Network, which will deliver a fast, frequent public transport network for all of Auckland at a significantly lower cost than the current Auckland transport plan.”

The Congestion Free Network brings forward public transport projects from Auckland Transport’s Integrated Transport Programme and can be afforded for just 40% of the budget for the existing plan. It has been costed at $10 Billion over 15 years, which compares with over $24 billion for the full Integrated Transport Programme.

“This is a fiscally conservative transport plan for Auckland that makes up for the under investment in public transport over the past 50 years,” said Dr Singh.

“We urge all parties to get in behind this essential plan for Auckland.”

Generation Zero also supports the Green Party’s intention to rebalance national transport funding to support public transport, cycling and rail freight throughout New Zealand.

“Investment in efficient, low carbon transport infrastructure is key to meeting our commitments to reduce carbon pollution and building a competitive 21st century economy,” said Dr Singh.

“Internationally, the share of transport infrastructure investment for rail averages 23% in the OECD and 40% in Western European countries, but the current Government’s road-heavy plan offers less than 5% for rail, public transport and cycleways combined.”

Data references:
International Transport Forum, Spending on Transport Infrastructure 1995-2011.
Ministry of Transport, Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding 2015.
Treasury, Vote Transport 2014.

About Generation Zero:
Generation Zero is a non-partisan, nationwide group of young New Zealanders founded in 2011 to advance solutions to climate change and help put New Zealand on track towards a zero carbon future. www.generationzero.org.nz

About the Congestion Free Network:
The Congestion Free Network was a collaboration between the TransportBlog and Generation Zero and is a blueprint which lays out a future integrated public transport network in Auckland, staged at five yearly intervals through to 2030. More information is available at: www.congestionfree.co.nz

ENDS

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