Trams for Auckland; trains for the regions

The new Government is promising to make a start on a $3 billion modern tram project from the Auckland CBD to the airport, but there's no word on a second ambitious tram project to West Auckland.

As expected, Labour, NZ First and the Greens have moved the focus from roads towards rail with the east-west highway costing up to $1.8b through Auckland's industrial belt not going ahead as currently proposed.

David Aitken, chief executive of National Road Carriers, was not surprised but disappointed that the new four-lane road connecting SH1 to SH20 at Onehunga would not proceed as planned.

He looked forward to talking with the new Government about a scaled down version that will relieve traffic congestion and improve freight movements through the area.

NZ First's emphasis on "Railways of National Importance" will see significant investment in regional rail from the $1b a year regional development fund, but no specific projects are mentioned.

The Labour-Green confidence and supply agreement sets out substantial investment in public transport, walking, cycling and sea freight to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.

The National Land Transport Fund will be reset to increase investment in rail, cycling and walking.

The agreement includes safe cycling and walking, especially around schools, and investigating a green transport card for low income households and people on a benefit. The Greens campaigned on free public transport for students and under-19s.

Labour and the Greens will begin work in Auckland on modern trams, also known as light rail, but have not committed to the same ambitious scale and timelines they campaigned on.

There is no commitment for modern trams to West Auckland within 10 years, nor a regional petrol tax for Auckland Council to help pay the huge costs of light rail. NZ First opposed a regional petrol tax.

Labour's Phil Twyford, tipped to be Minister of Transport, and the Green's Julie Anne Genter, tipped to his deputy, declined to comment at this stage.

The Labour-NZ First agreement said the government's vehicle fleet, where practicable, will become emissions free by 2025-2026.