Greens push electric rail as Auckland congestion cure

Missing links in an Auckland western ring motorway route would be delayed in favour of an enhanced electric railway if the Greens had their way in a governing coalition.

Launching the party's Auckland transport policy to rail passengers at the Britomart Station yesterday, co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said they could have a "state-of-the-art" electric network all the way to the airport for the almost $2 billion price of the ring route.

This would include a tunnel loop under the central business district to Mt Eden to double potential train movements through Britomart - already a preference of the new Auckland Regional Transport Authority.

Ms Fitzsimons said the plan would allow double tracks to be built throughout the existing network capable of carrying as many people as an eight-lane highway, as well as a resumption of services on the Onehunga branch line and 20-minute train frequencies.

An "iconic" electric tram line along the waterfront from St Heliers to the Western Viaduct and up Queen St would cost more, as would new lines from Onehunga to Penrose and through Botany Downs.

But the Greens list them in potential Auckland public transport spending of $2.5 billion to $3 billion, including bus feeder services to upgraded railway stations, a budget roughly equivalent to building a tunnel under Waitemata Harbour.

Other policy proposals include:

* Providing full Government funding for public transport infrastructure, as is now enjoyed by state highways.

* Encouraging drivers to swap to public transport by charging them to use congested roads.

* Reducing public transport fares and introducing a single ticket for all services.

* Lowering speed limits near schools.

* End-to-end cycle networks and road safety audits to consider cyclist and pedestrian requirements.

* Investigation of shared facilities and safety guidelines for pedestrians, skateboarders and rollerbladers.

The policy launch comes just before major announcements by Transit New Zealand in Auckland tomorrow about accelerating progress on the western ring route.

Land Transport New Zealand has allocated Transit an extra $390 million over four years for new highway construction from a $500 million tax windfall, and the road builder intends spending $280 million in Auckland alone.

Much of the balance is expected to be spent on the Waikato Expressway and $50 million added to Auckland's existing rail upgrade project, including duplicating tracks to Henderson.

Ms Fitzsimons said the Government could use the $500 million to reduce the demand for new roads by increasing public transport first.

"When people find they can do their daily commute more comfortably, more cheaply, more conveniently and more quickly in public transport, they'll get out of their cars and jump on the train or bus."

She feared Labour was being "panicked" into spending on roads.

But she said the Greens would keep fighting for the $500 million after the election if Labour needed the party to regain office, a prospect which National transport spokesman Maurice Williamson said would lead to more traffic chaos.