Government pledges $225 million boost for Wellington transport

The government says it will boost transport spending in the Wellington region by $225 million.

The main areas for extra funding are $65 million to invest in existing passenger transport infrastructure and services and $160 million for reducing congestion and improving access.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen today said the additional funding, to be allocated over the next ten years, would benefit local people and the regional and national economy.

"The underinvestment in the transport system which characterised the 1990s is over. Spending in the greater Wellington area is already 88 per cent higher than under the last year of National with $122 million budgeted for the current 2004-05 year."

Transport Minister Pete Hodgson said the package reflected the partnership approach being taken across all levels of government.

"Greater Wellington Regional Council, the region's Mayors and Labour MPs, with the support of the Greens and United Future, have all done a great job in securing this extra money," he said.

"This latest increase is on top of existing ten year anticipated spending allocations for transport for the Wellington region: $445 million for passenger transport, $442 million for state highways and $220 million in regional funding.

"The next challenge is to address the Western Corridor. I'm grateful here for the leadership being shown by Mana MP Winnie Laban and Otaki MP Darren Hughes. They, along with the region's Mayors, agree that it is best to await the final report of a study now underway, the preliminary findings of which are due in April," Mr Hodgson said.