Transfund stalls rail access bid

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

Transfund looks unlikely to pay $35 million towards Auckland's new public transport system, a decision that may cancel out an earlier grant and reduce the coffers to zero.

But local body leaders driving the proposed transport system are confident that they can satisfy Transfund's request for more information and secure the money.

At a meeting yesterday, Transfund, the national roading and public transport financing body, decided that it needed further information before committing cash.

Board chairman Michael Gross said Transfund thought it "unlikely that funding the full $35 million sought would be justifiable under our legislation or prudent use of the public money."

The Auckland region needs $65 million to gain 70 years' access from Tranz Rail to the city's southern and western rail corridors.

The corridors, which can be used for rail, light rail or buses, are the foundation of a proposed $1 billion rapid transport scheme to beat city congestion.

Infrastructure Auckland, the regional financing body, has approved a $30 million grant for access to the corridors but it will be available only if Transfund comes up with remaining $35 million.

Infrastructure Auckland said its grant justified Transfund coming up with its share.

However, Mr Gross said a number of matters needed further analysis or explanation before the money would be granted.

Les Paterson, chairman of the Auckland Regional Council transport committee, said Transfund's need for more discussion did not "draw the curtains down by any means."

He was confident that local body leaders could provide the information to satisfy Transfund.

"If that funding plan doesn't work out, we will just have to look to other funding sources."

The local leaders have a deadline of December 8 to come up with the $65 million.

The Transfund board will not meet again to discuss the $35 million application until the middle of next month, but Mr Paterson said that did not necessarily mean the December deadline would be missed.

"It's way too early to make that sort of inference."

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