The Campaign For Better Transport

The WWF have released a Colmar Brunton public opinion poll which shows seven out of ten New Zealanders want to see more Government money going to fund public transport improvements. The release goes on to say:

Only 1 percent of total land transport spending is allocated to new and improved public transport.

In Auckland the rate is even higher with 78 percent of people in agreement that the government should spend a greater percentage of its Land Transport Budget on improved public transport infrastructure in major urban areas or cities over the next decade.

“The Roads of National Significance and other roading projects are currently gobbling the lion’s share of government transport money, when what New Zealanders want is more investment to make public transport in cities better,” says WWF-New Zealand Climate and Energy Advocate Lee Barry.

“The futility of building more roads is not lost on Kiwis – they know fuel prices will rise and new roads will not help them.”

In the survey they point out that new or improved road infrastructure accounts for 59% of total government spending over the next decade, while new or improved public transport infrastructure accounts for 1.1%.  The chart for the current year looks like this:

Click for larger image

Media Release from the Campaign for Better Transport

The Campaign for Better Transport is picking transport to be a major issue in the forthcoming election. The organisation is hosting a public meeting where the main political parties will be given the opportunity to explain what they intend to do over the next three years to improve transport, particularly in Auckland.

Spokesperson Cameron Pitches says he hopes the meeting will cover wide range of transport issues, but a key role of central Government is administering the $2.8bn annual fuel tax revenue in a “sensible and realistic” manner.

“Current Goverment policy limits just 0.8% of that revenue stream for public transport infrastructure projects. We think that the huge growth in numbers of people using buses and rail in Auckland in recent years justifies a bigger percentage than this,” says Mr Pitches.

Pitches describes the meeting as a unique opportunity for the public to show their support for intiatives such as the CBD rail link and more immediate alternatives to the costly $1.7bn toll road between Puhoi and Wellsford.

“It is our view that in Auckland the CBD rail link is absolutely vital to the continued growth in rail patronage. Other options such as a bus tunnel won’t overcome this, especially given electrification will make commuting by rail even more popular than currently.”

The meeting is to be held on Thursday 10th November, 7:00pm at the Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Place in central Auckland.

Confirmed speakers for the public meeting include:

• David Bennett, MP (National)
• Shane Jones, MP (Labour)
• Gareth Hughes, MP (Greens)
• Don Brash (ACT)
• Colin Craig (Conservatives)

Each speaker will be given 10 minutes to explain their party’s stance on all modes of transport and issues that affect the Auckland region in particular. Audience members will be invited to ask questions after all speakers have presented their policies.

The meeting is open to all members of the public, however as space is limited free tickets should be obtained through http://bettertransportnov11.eventbrite.com/ to guarantee a seat.

[Ends]

Notes:

Looking closer at Operation Lifesaver:

http://transportblog.co.nz/2011/11/02/looking-closer-at-operation-lifesaver/

CBD Bus Tunnel:

http://transportblog.co.nz/2011/10/30/a-cbd-bus-tunnel/

The Sustainable Business Network is hosting the Sustainable City Showcase at Shed 10, Queens Wharf on Wednesday November 9th:

• 7 to 9am –Conscious Consumer Commuter Challenge. FREE coffee for commuters on foot, bike, boat, bus or train.
• 12pm to 2pm – Great food available from the farmers market and Cafés
• 5pm to 7pm – Green Drinks

Those that come to the breakfast between 7-9 will get a FREE fairtrade Kokako or Atomic Coffee,

Plus delicious sustainable food on sale all day from Ripe Deli, Cosset, the Library Café, Little Bird, French crepes, Paris Berlin Organic Bakery.  There is an organic meat barbeque, mussel fritters, gluten free and vegan food, and a whole Farmers Market to do some early morning shopping.

Auckland is a great big city; so why doesn’t it have a great big city transit system? That’s the question posed by inthel00p.co.nz, a brand new ‘fashion activist’ website.

With designs based on famous subway or metro signs, you’ll stay stylish while making a statement. Plus for every t-shirt sold via this website, they will give $10 to the Campaign for Better Transport! Simply order at their website, and enter ‘CBT’ in the special delivery instructions field. If you have any queries, please contact them directly.

The Campaign for Better Transport has invited the main political parties in the forthcoming general election to tell us their vision for the future of transport in Auckland.  Confirmed speakers for the public meeting include:

• David Bennett, MP (National)
• Shane Jones, MP (Labour)
• Gareth Hughes, MP (Greens)
• Don Brash (ACT)
• Colin Craig (Conservatives)

The event is being held on Thursday 10th November, 7:00pm at the Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Place, Auckland Central.

Space is strictly limited – reserve your place by getting your free ticket from http://bettertransportnov11.eventbrite.com/

Each speaker will be given 10 minutes to explain their party’s stance on all modes of transport and issues that affect the Auckland region in particular.

We are requesting each speaker address the following two issues within their speech:

1. What does your party believe to be the best way to allocate centrally-held funds to different transport modes (road/rail/sea/active) and why.

2. What does your party propose to do over the next three years to improve transport in Auckland?

It should be a great night! Again space is limited and you will need a ticket to get in. Go to http://bettertransportnov11.eventbrite.com/ to secure your ticket now.

Our proposed Rally for Rail is no longer going ahead due to resourcing constraints, and the fact that the Victoria Park Tunnel opening is also going to be held on the 29th October.  Come along instead to our public meeting on the 10th November.  Details on that are on the Events page.

As reported in the Herald, Labour MP Phil Twyford is proposing a busway along the North Western motorway.

Mr Twyford, who said the proposal originated with the Campaign for Better Transport and had support from western business groups as well as three local boards, won a committee resolution for officers to seek a report from the council-controlled Auckland Transport.

He said the $350 million proposal would complement the western railway line, which went nowhere near Te Atatu and the high-growth northern sector of the former Waitakere City. He preferred it to run down the middle of the motorway and said it would cut the typical bus trips from Westgate to central Auckland from about 60 minutes to about 18 minutes.

This is a great idea and one that the CBT attempted to push a couple of  years back.  The unfortunate thing about all this is that the Waterview to Lincoln Rd section will already be subject to signficant widening as part of the Waterview upgrade.  However NZTA have only committed to bus shoulder lanes, leaving 9 lanes of traffic freely open to single occupant cars at all times of the day.

Hopefully the horse hasn’t bolted and it isn’t too late. The thing about this is that it can be done in a phased manner.  Auckland Transport blog carries on with the debate here.

The Campaign for Better Transport is supporting Greenpeace and other organisations and joining the Rally for Rail on Saturday the 29th October in downtown Auckland.  Details to be announced, but keep the date free to support the continued investment in passenger rail in Auckland.