KEY POINTS:
Aucklanders who scrap their cars will get $400 of train and bus tickets from next week in a trial which aims to get old bombs off the road.
The trial will start on Monday and will run for six weeks until the end of June.
Associate Transport Minister Judith Tizard said the scheme was targeting vehicles that were unwarranted, would not pass their next warrant test, or for which the warrant would cost more than the vehicle was worth.
"If you cringe every time your car is due for a warrant of fitness, why not consider trading in your car for $400 worth of bus and rail passes?" Ms Tizard said.
"What better way to try public transport than for two months free."
The aim of the trial was to reduce dangerous vehicle emissions, improve public health and recycle resources.
Aucklanders will be able to call a hotline to have an unwanted car picked up from anywhere in the city. The vehicles will be scrapped and recycled.
Ms Tizard said the trial was being led by the city councils, the regional council and a car recovery company, which would carry the cost.
Dumped cars were a big problem in many parts of Auckland.
The Manukau City Council spent about $2 million a year removing derelict vehicles from streets.
Ms Tizard said she hoped that if the scheme proved successful, it would be introduced in other parts of New Zealand.
- NZPA
