Quicker fix urged over city's rail stalemate

By PHILIP ENGLISH

The Government is urging Auckland transport planners to concentrate on immediate improvements to public transport rather than the controversial $112 million access deal to the region's rail corridors.

The Minister of Transport, Mark Gosche, said last night the Government was making money available for transport improvements within the next few months.

Negotiations between the Auckland Regional Council and Tranz Rail should continue in an "unpanicked way" while improvements were made, he said.

He was commenting on the $47 million hike in the deal between the region and Tranz Rail, up from the $65 million figure agreed to by councils.

Tranz Rail yesterday disputed that it was behind the hike. The ARC had changed its mind on access to the corridors, requiring Tranz Rail to come up with the extra $47 million to meet the ARC requirements, the company said.

Mr Gosche said: "We've been proceeding on the basis that [the ARC] made an application to Transfund for $35 million. We now pick up the newspaper and see that has increased by another $47 million.

"I don't think it's sensible to be increasing the size or the nature of the deal when you haven't actually concluded the first part of it, which is to see whether a central Government agency can contribute money.

"To add to the bill midway through is unusual and I think we need to take stock because Tranz Rail is changing the rules in more ways than one."

Mr Gosche also questioned whether Auckland had firm plans for the corridors.

"When you make your decisions on the use of the rail corridors, you have to have a fairly clear idea what you are going to use the rail corridors for before you ante-up with the first dollop of money.

"Auckland hasn't got a position on it yet and that's why you've got different people in Auckland saying they would use it for a heavy rail corridor, others saying light rail and others saying different things again."

He said short-term opportunities were available now while the longer-term issues could be worked out.

And the Government's patronage-based funding could make more new buses available in four to five months.

The Mayor of Manukau, Sir Barry Curtis, said negotiations had reached a "do or die" phase. If a deal could not be reached, Auckland was destined for oblivion.

The Tranz Rail passenger services contract would run out at the end of 2003, by which time some of its diesel trains bought in 1992 with a life of 10 years would be "kaput."

Time was running out and Auckland had to concentrate on keeping the present service running before thinking about a flash new system with light rail, he said.

But the deputy chairman of the ARC transport committee, Jack Henderson, said Sir Barry was being alarmist.

He did not know of one council which supported the extra $47 million. It would be more realistic for Auckland to talk to the Government about buying Tranz Rail services.

Herald Online feature: Getting Auckland moving

Herald Online traffic reports