Campaigns
Hamilton – Auckland Rail
The CBT strongly supports the reintroduction of a commuter rail service between Hamilton to Auckland. CBT members have recently made a number of submissions on the Waikato Regional Rail Discussion Document, which has been put together by Environment Waikato (EW).
Of key note in the Document is the potential for a Hamilton - Auckland commuter rail service. An EW study in 2006 found that the service would be feasible, though two years later nothing has progressed on the implementation of this useful service…more
North Shore to Auckland City Hospital Bus Services
Currently there is no bus service from North Shore which directly supplies Auckland City Hospital (ACH) and Auckland Medical School despite populations of about 6,000 staff, 500 students and 1,000 patients…more
Northwestern Busway
NZTA are shortly about to commence work on widening the North Western motorway all the way from the Waterview to Te Atatu. Given the stunning success of the Northern Busway you would think it a no-brainer to designate some of the lanes as dedicated bus lanes but, no, this currently isn’t even being considered.
The CBT thinks it should, with this campaign being led by Jeremy Harris…more
Say “No” to Bigger Trucks
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is proposing a rule change that would allow larger trucks on New Zealand’s roads – causing enormous damage to our roading system, having significant adverse safety and environmental effects, and potentially undermining KiwiRail.
According to the NZTA, the rule change would:
- increase the allowable overall length on certain types of vehicle configuration;
- increase weight limits on certain axle sets;
- allow vehicles to operate up to 44 tonnes with shorter first-to-last axle spacings than is currently allowed; and
- allow “high-productivity motor vehicles” to operate at gross masses above 44 tonnes (for divisible loads).
More details can be found on our Say “No” to Bigger Trucks campaign page.
Waterfront Tram
We are campaigning for trams and light rail to be considered as part of the new $2bn redevelopment of the old Tank Farm area on Auckland’s waterfront.
Working with the Museum of Transport and Technology, who have a number of working heritage trams at their popular Western Springs site, we presented to Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council and met with officials from the Sea+City project team and also Booz Allen, who are undertaking a review of the Te Wero bridge. Prior to these meetings we also met with Heart Of The City representatives to gain an understanding of their vision for the waterfront…more
Reopen Onehunga Rail
In 2006 we campaigned hard to reopen the dormant branch railway line between Onehunga and Penrose once again to passenger services.
Our 8,000 strong petition and support from the Auckland Regional Coucil saw the Government finally give the green light for funding on the 13 March 2007 – but we aren’t there yet! … more
Airport Rail
There is widespread public support for a rail link to Auckland airport. The vision is to build a rail link from Onehunga to Auckland Airport and continue the loop back to the main trunk line via Puhinui Rd, in order to service not only airline passengers but the more than 10,000 workers who commute to the airport vicinity every day.
What isn’t so clear is what the next steps should be.
In late 2007, through Environment Court mediation, the Campaign for Better Transport negotiated with Transit and Manukau City to preserve a corridor for rail to the west of the newly widened motorway at Mangere Bridge.
Since then, no practical progress at all has been made in securing the necessary rail corridors. In the meantime, building developments are encroaching on available space, particularly along George Bolt Drive.
If rail to the airport is to have any chance of eventuating, then Manukau City Council, along with ARTA and KiwiRail, need to work together urgently to designate the rail corridor, before it is too late.
Past Campaigns
Action Stations
The aim of Action Stations was to ensure that Auckland’s planned public transport upgrades and improvements are guaranteed funding and proceed without delay. In particular, we wanted the Government to assure us that Auckland’s planned integrated ticketing, ferry terminal upgrades, rail electrification and railway station construction and improvements would all be completed without delay…more
