City big guns aim at Government transport plan

By STUART DYE transport reporter

Auckland's transport planners and politicians spent a frantic weekend lobbying in last-ditch attempts to bend the Government's will in solving the city's traffic problems.

The region's city councils and the Automobile Association went on the offensive after details of Government plans were leaked.

The Herald revealed on Friday that a standalone public transport body under the Auckland Regional Council, a 5.8c a litre fuel tax and a grant would be announced this week by Transport Minister Paul Swain.

Although the minister has refused to confirm or deny anything before Friday's announcement, various tiers of Auckland's transport governance have rushed to the Cabinet to press their points.

Auckland City mayor John Banks made public previously confidential material that the council believes will deliver the most effective results.

In a strongly worded letter to Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, Mr Banks insisted a standalone authority should not come under the control of the ARC.

"The city believes it is critical that a comprehensive, single-focused and professionally run transport agency is established to move Auckland forward," said Mr Banks in the letter.

He was acting in the best interests of the region and not trying to wrest power from the ARC.

"It's not about one authority versus another, or one mode of transport over another.

"We have a chance as a country to get it right ... We must not come up short."

Mr Banks is at odds with other members of the region's mayoral forum, who want a new authority under the control of the ARC..

Manukau City mayor Sir Barry Curtis said his city was backing the Government plan.

The AA is focusing on the petrol tax increases.

"When will the taxes paid by motorists be used for transport?" said its Auckland manager, Stephen Selwood.

"The Government cannot continually impose more and more taxes.

"Using current excise tax on fuel to fund transport improvements must be the primary funding source."

Mr Selwood said a guaranteed $400 million a year was needed to fix Auckland's transport network.

It is estimated that between $8 billion and $10 billion is needed to complete the region's transport system.

National Party leader Don Brash said yesterday that new petrol taxes, a year after the last increases, were unnecessary.

No further levies were needed when road builder Transfund was operating at a surplus, and the Government's consolidated fund was swollen to about $700 million.

"In that financial climate it's very difficult to argue that petrol tax needs to go up," said Dr Brash.

The Government plan is also likely to include a rates rise and open up the possibility of toll roads.

Who runs Auckland's public transport?

* Auckland Regional Council: Has overall responsibility for ensuring the provision of passenger transport. Devises strategy and oversees implementation, plans projects and distributes funds.

* Infrastructure Auckland: Grants funding for transport projects.

* Transfund: Provides financial assistance for passenger transport services funding by the ARC.

* The Government: Owns the rail tracks.

* Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd: Responsible for design and provision of the rail infrastructure - tracks on behalf of the Government, and stations, including Britomart transport centre.

* Tranz Rail/Tranz Metro: Train operator responsible for passenger rail services (Connex is expected to be appointed new operator to take over early next year).

* Auckland City Council: Funder, builder and owner of Britomart transport centre, but leases it to ARTNL.