More people moving around Auckland will squeeze an already inadequate transport network unless changes are made. Transport congestion will continue to worsen, compounded by a lack of funds for maintaining existing infrastructure.
Alternative transport funding options put forward by the Independent Advisory Body to Auckland Council have given us solid options to look at and discuss, and to decide, as a community, just how we fix the problem if we want to do so.
You are the ones who will make that decision. Do we do nothing and wear the social and economic costs of increasing gridlock? Do we increase rates and fuel taxes? Do we add a user charge for the motorway system?
Auckland Transport has given us two transport budgets to choose from. The basic programme lists what we can afford using current revenue streams. The second would use alternative funding to build the Auckland Plan transport network Aucklanders say they want.
Closing the funding gap would have benefits across the Auckland region - we could build Penlink (an alternative route between Redvale and Whangaparaoa in the north of Auckland) and treble the funding for sealing rural roads; build the Northwestern Busway and park-and-ride facilities in Swanson, Westgate and Henderson; upgrade the Parnell and Newmarket train stations and the Tamaki Drive/Ngapipi Road intersection; put a third line on the Southern Line; build a park-and-ride at Pukekohe; upgrade the Half Moon Bay ferry terminal; and deliver an additional $1 billion in arterial road improvements.
We would complete our public transport network and the region's walking and cycling networks, with an additional $245 million in the next 10 years. This will provide Aucklanders with frequent, reliable, affordable and safe options to private cars.
This isn't just about getting to work faster in the morning, this is about investing in the quality of life we want in our city - not wasting weekends crawling in traffic, not losing precious working and leisure time stuck in gridlock.
It's also good for business, delivering transport costs savings of 7 to 8.3 per cent to Auckland businesses. In fact, the Auckland region would reap $1.6 billion in economic benefits from improved productivity and reduced costs.
I want Aucklanders to get passionate about this debate - I want us to talk about it in our offices, across dinner tables, in schools, and through social and mainstream media. Let's debate, argue, discuss and decide if we are prepared to pay to finally fix Auckland's transport problems, and if so, the most effective way of funding that.
From January, we will be asking you which transport budget option you want, so look out for the consultation documents in your mailboxes.
Do you want the basic network, becoming increasingly congested and less safe, or the full Auckland Plan network giving Aucklanders relief from worsening congestion and real options about how they move around the region. If you choose the Auckland Plan network, how would you prefer to pay for it?
The final decision, incorporating your feedback, will be made during the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 adoption process in May/June next year.
You can find out more about the options on the Auckland Council website.
