KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Jodi Fraser
I'm all for public transport and have been busing to work for the last 8 years, but why should I pay for a train service I cannot use?
Anna
Its all very well and good making us pay a petrol tax to improve the standard of our public transport system - But all that cancels itself out if it is still cheaper for us to fill our car up with petrol, drive it into the city and pay hiked rates for parking then it is to take the train every day. And I can't see train fares getting any cheaper with the electrification of rail. Instead it will be a great excuse for Veolia to raise the fares yet again.
Massey University Student
The thought of the price of petrol going up again makes me feel sick to the stomach. I am a student who commutes to the other side of the city to get to university. It is a 45 minute drive (in good traffic). I would happily use public transport if it took less than two hours and cost me less than petrol itself. I would be even happier to cycle. I have no other option but to drive. I already spend $50 a week on petrol (a huge chunk out of my $250 income, especially after rent). How much more will I have to spend on petrol? How much less food will I be able to buy? This is not a matter of not being able to buy a coffee tomorrow - this is a matter of survival, a fact of life for many students. I just wish the government would stop for a moment and consider those who earn on the poverty line - whilst still working our butts off studying up to 12 hours a day to later become the next generation of trained professionals. Perhaps we will die of starvation before we get there.
The Phantom
Was there not a similar situation some years ago for exactly the same issue? I belief I heard this all before and what happened to that money? Spend on other things except what it was meant for. The same will happen this time. Merk my words. All has gone nuts.
Indy
Its bitter, but I guess I'll have to gulp it. I just wish the budget provided some sort of a sweetener to make the bitter pill go down easily.Public transportation in both Auckland and Wellington should be made cheaper so that people on the fence (whose areas are serviced by public transport, but who haven't committed themselves to public transport yet) make the jump. I agree in principal with the idea of stimulating growth of public transportation -- as long as the taxes collected actually go into improving it.
Mark S
Cullen is actually considering putting all the fuel tax collected into transport rather than some being siphoned off into a general fund as it is now...wow thanks! Thiis crazy! When are we the public going to get an itemized account of where all taxes collected from roading go too? ie Registration, Fines, Fuel taxes, and the biggy Road User Charges etc.
A labour govenment elected to scrap rail and go with roads in the 1980s, our roads are run by the government as a business. Like any business you must put back into building your infrastructure to allow you to keep making profits. Why are we the customers now expected to pay for the construction and then after completion charged to use those roads that we have paid to build. How long are these fuel taxes going to be charged. Forever?How much of the total money collected from roading is going to help other areas of government spending?
Jim
Looks like the government has just given everyone one more incentive to move to Australia! No trains in my area and who uses public transport, every bus I see hardly has anyone in it so I can see why we need to subsidise them.
Kate (Taranaki)
For all you North Shore and Auckland residents upset by the latest city tax, do what we did three years ago...leave! We came down to Taranaki and absolutely love it - three minute traffic jams, seven minutes' drive to work, walk along the coastal walkway to supermarkets. Housing prices might be higher than they once were, but we are lucky enough not to really need cars at all. Take a look around you...and then look south. It might be the answer.''
Nzausse
Whinge moan, moan. Why should I pay for a toll on the harbour bridge, or for an electric train service, or for any infrastructure that will help the traffic flow, cars trucks, and public transport. Because we live in a city not a bloody farm envioroment. It is true, most of the current and worsening traffic congestion could have largely been alleviated if governments, had bitten the bullet years ago. Now we have to pay through the nose. But we still have to pay. Otherwise it will only get worse not better, idiots. Take your frustration out on the mealy mouthed politicians that have let all Auckland commuters down. Demonstrate outside town hall in our thousands. Make the decision makers actually do something. Guess what it won't happen, just more idiots complaining and the situation continually getting worse. Welcome to NZ.
Bill
I have read most of the Your Viewse and I have to say what a bunch of whinging, selfish, miserable, me me me cry babies. I am sick of the people who whine, whine, whine whenever solutions are put forward for a problem, because it may slightly affect their big fat back pockets. My suggestion to the whingers is bugger off to Australia or where ever else you can grab a bit more money and leave New Zealand to the people who really care about fixing its problems
Auckland
While I'm as distressed as everybody else is over the tax, I'm more interested in seeing how well the tax is used. There's no doubt that public transport should be encouraged, but at the moment the public transport infrastructure in Auckland is appalling. The challenge is now to use this extra money and make sure that the transport system is improved. I think it is unfair to focus too much on the tax, what we really should be looking at is the fact that the company tax has been lowered. This is a positive sign and it will encourage businesses and it shows that Dr. Cullen is in touch with reality.
Gavin
Im a mobile PC technician and have just started my own company. Im now having to increase my travel rates to compensate for this new tax - I fear that I am going to lose a lot of current and potential customers due to this increase. If I am going to have to cough up another 10c for petrol, then can I have something lowered elsewhere ? My tax rate would be a good start... yeah right.
Hellensville
Why do we pay so much tax on petrol now ? Why isn't the tax we currently donate spent on the roads ? instead of the govenment coffers. I couldn't afforda house in Auckland, so had to move furher out. The mortgage is lower, but the transport costs are higher. I can't catch a bus & there are no trains, yet I'm expected to pay an additional 10c for petrol. I already spend around $140 per week on petrol. Also, the government talks about increasing the interest rates to curb spending, the only extra spending I'm doing is on increased Rates, Water, Mortgage, Petrol & Food. Those that can afford to spend don't stop spending but the rest of us just suffer some more.
Mike S
You are absolutely joking!! I am looking forward to seeing the trains on the Shore. What are we paying for - yet again!! When are the South Islanders and provincial people going to pay US$3 per litre to pay for the roads that Aucklanders are currently paying for? Didn't Labour say no more taxes? Lies, lies lies and day light theft!
Paul
I couldn't afford a house in Auckland so ended up purchasing a house near Hellinsville, neither my wife or myself can catch buses to work & there is also no train option, I currently spend US$140 per week on Petrol, of which over 50 per cent goes to the govenment.I'd like to hear Cullen explain why so much of our hard earned money spent on Petrol tax doesn't get spent on the roads, it's morally wrong that the taxes go into the consoladated fund. No more extra petrol taxes, use what your already taking. It's hard enough paying the mortgage (increasing), rates (Increasing), water, food & petrol (increasing).
Stephen
A petrol tax? C'mon Aucklanders proportionally pay their share of fuel tax currently due to the number of drivers in Auckland. How about the government starts to spend this current fuel tax on roads rather than putting it into the general coffers? Also will this go onto diesel which will see a 11 per cent increase overnight to transport operators which will flow down to consumers nationwide.
Alwin
George Woods if you impose a petrol tax it will be your last term as Mayor. We on the Shore are sick of subsidising the rest of Auckland for rail etc. Come on people a local election is looming, lets get people power back in. What has happened to the kiwi fighting spirit.
Onehunga
Our current train service is inadequate to say the best. It doesn't cover much of Auckland and is not accessible to most of us. So why spending money when we know it "will" still be inadequate after the upgrade? Not to mention asking for people who don't have access to train to pay for it. With our geographical characteristic, I doubt we can expect the kind of mass transportation service like the MRT in Singapore. I'd rather see them building dedicated bus lanes all over Auckland and increase the bus frequency and routes so buses will never be in traffic jam and always on time (just hoping). If bus is accessible, on time, come every 10-15 minutes and never be in traffic jam, I would definitely use it and be more happy to pay for this than the train that I so rarely use.
Jason Cheetham
Why does Michael Cullen need to add a regional fuel tax when he has a surplus big enough to build another 5 harbour bridges for Auckland? Perhaps he should buy himself a balaclava, as he fits the profile of a highway robber only too well.
Nettie
That 10 cents a litre petrol tax for Auckland and Wellington is the pits. Come and sit on my crappy bus service from Whangaparaoa to Auckland Mr Cullen outside of the 6.30 - 8.30 and see how you like taking nearly 2hrs to travel 35km and then go figure why so many people use cars. A ring road round Auckland isn't going to make private bus companies run services for the people and not purely for profit. Good job I run marathons 'cos I'll be getting faster, quicker with this little budget pearl.
Amanda (North Shore)
I want to know why North Shore City residents have to pay an extra 10c a litre on petrol when the money that is coming from it is not benefiting us at all. I mean a Western ring route is not going to benefit us at all. I mean wouldn't it be more feasible for the money to go to creating an alternative route out of Devonport, it is a fast growing community and there is only one way in and out. I think that would be alot more useful, or even better than that would be no price hike at all :)
Matt R
Once again we have the typical kiwi "what about me" syndrome reflected in many posts on said topic. The fact is this isn't about you, its about the city. Electrifying the lines is not going to solve all our problems but it's going to help the city. It may not improve your situation directly, but ripple effects should see it help in a more indirect way, commuting is after all not the only purpose of a motorway (think goods transport) and its benefits are beyond getting to A to B quicker (think environment). At the end of the day we need to get it right today so others dont pay for it tomorrow. I am a young person making my way in society and far too often, I am faced with "harder then they need to be" situations caused significantly by the lack of vision of those before me. Wars were fought for us, we call it the ultimate sacrifice. What are we doing for a better future? What are we doing for those who come next? What are we doing to make them feel proud of us? It seems some of our own sacrifices need to be made to find out.
Tom
To those who say great about the trains consider this: trains do not service the whole Auckland region so yet again people are *forced* to pay for other's transport options. Surely the North Shore will not be included in the region for this tax.
Manurewa
My wife who catches the train to the city each day was hit with an increase just recently on train fares and bus fares to cover for rail & transport bla bla bla...now she's getting wacked again with the petrol...So tell me how far away is the train station from Westfields Manakau?? Is this a plan to push everybody out of Auckland? Might be working with me...
Wannabe rail user
More rail lines are needed for this to be fair on all Aucklanders. How about that tunnel from Britomart under the city centre? And an electric service to Hamilton and even Whangarei?
George Stead
No way. We live on the North Shore where there are no trains. We have just been hammered by North Shore rates to pay for the Bus Route from Albany which all the Rodney ratepayers use. Why should we pay for trains we can't use?
Nordlawf (Red Beach)
We have paid fuel tax, licence tax, GST on everything, The Govt. has a huge surplus, $32million was wasted on a rich mans yacht race etc. etc. How much more does Cullen want? We all know that he thinks we are all idiots. He will release a lot of cash next year to buy votes, and he still wants more money for electrification of a clapped out railway system that we on the Hibicus coast will never even see or use. We have a terrible bus service and no taxi service and he wants us to help pay for Auckland's traffic solutions.I would love to see him live in the real world with no Govt. perks and no limo. to get about him. I think that answers the question about an extra tax on petrol.
Barbara
Why would we pay a fuel tax to use electricity instead of clogging up the atmosphere with pollutants? The very idea is ludicrous.
Steve
I am moving to Auckland in less than 3 weeks. Until now I have lived in Hamilton and I am making the move for work purposes. The fact that there is huge traffic problems etc and expensive fuel, has meant I have looked for accommodation near to where I will be working. Increased taxes encourage a few things to help reduce the effects on the roads and the actions of the population. Firstly, it encourages the use of public transport. Even if transport does not exist in your area, the fact that you and your neighbours want efficient public transport enough, will encourage a fast public transport system to be brought to your region. If you and your suburb don't want it enough then it encourages you to move closer to where you need to be to reduce your costs. And finally, if you decide not to demand effective public transport, and when this is ineffective, decide not to move, (or find employment closer to where you want to live) then that is your choice, deal with it. You made the decision to drive for ages, and you pay the price for the effects you have on the environment and on congestion (with your taxes). seriously, stop complaining.
SC
Is this another ploy to drive the high taxpayers to Aussie so that Labour can win the next election? If Labour only want beneficiaries in NZ, then I suppose leaving is the only option.
David White
Nothing is sure except death and taxes. And at least death doesn't get worse every year!
MargotW
Why is no one asking what has the government done with last years $11 000 000 000 surplus? Or the year befores $7000000000 surplus? We are already proven to be overtaxed to oblivion and I for one am sick of paying for statehouses full of drunken beneficiaries. How can you all stand it? I think Qantas will need to put on more flights to keep up with demand for the working NZers leaving to Australia. Just wait for next years election year bribe of a few dollars in the budget. Mark my words...
Todd
Yes! The only way for Auckland to move forward in terms of better transport options is via fuel tax and government funding. Aucklanders have already thrown out tolling, so the only option left is a fuel tax. We need to electrify the rail network and buy new electric trains now!
Owen McShane
I would have thought that given the Government's desire to be carbon neutral they would be encouraging us into private cars rather than buses and trains. The modern car fleet is more fuel efficient than buses or trains. Back in 1970 public transport was more fuel efficient. But not now - and the difference grows by the day. But myths die hard. And no one wants to know the facts when the myths give them so much power over our lives.
Andrew
The Lord Giveth, The Lord Taketh Away...
Richard
To those who are complaining about never using trains, buses, other roads etc. Understand this.... You are saying that you never use anything but what you use and therfore someone else should pay for it. But I bet you will need to drive to a wedding/funeral etc (things that are not on your normal driving list) at some stage in your life. Should you pay more then because you are driving on a road someone else paid for? Didn't think so. I walk to work for 45 minutes each day and cycle to other things such as visiting parents/friends etc To those of you on the Shore who complain about no buses/trains etc try this: Bike to the new bus area on the shore. Lock bike up. Catch bus to town for work. After work do the same in reverse. Cost about $6 per day. OR pay how much in gas? How much in parking? How much in insurance? How much in Rego/wof? How much in depreciation on the vehicle? How much time in traffic jams? Stop complaining and start doing something for yourself. You may see me walking over the motorway on my way home and laughing at all the one passenger cars going nowhere, great for my soul. For the record I do not own a car, (for 2 years now) and yet I can get places without one.
Dawn
I live on the North Shore and have the crap buses to put up with - a 10 km journey home takes almost 1 hour so, yes, am really looking forward to paying extra for petrol to provide a train system that is not even going to be on the North Shore - what a rip off. As in other countries, the motorist is an easy target.
William (Titirangi)
Discussion has been going on for as long as I can remember about improving bus and train services and we still continue to discuss it. When will we finally get this issue sorted, When will one of our so called leaders have the courage to bit the bullet and go all out to resolve this to bring us in line with other so called world class cities.By the way, Are we a world class city? Money should have been allocated to build new train lines along side the new motorways so the service can be expanded through other suburbs, The high voltage electric cables should have been buried along side the new motorways while the dirt had all been dug up so we can reduce the overhead pylons. I think the real problem is that all the different services both Council and Government are not working well enough together to make a real overall improvement for the people who have voted for them.
Paul (Auckland)
I would only be happy paying extra if the money was to go into expanding the rail network so that people could get where they need to. The alternative is that millions will be spent on having a system identical to the one now, except that it will be electric trains that don't go anywhere useful instead of diesel ones.
pCb (Auckland)
JAAP - Just Another Auckland Pauper (thats what government, local and central are making us).
Jo J
Michael Cullen is a twit! Who does he think he is kidding, raise taxes and fund electric trains! I have one word for him Britomart!" Empty white elephant foisted on the unsuspecting Auckland public. I live near a train station - guess what it won't take passenger trains because it is the wrong gauge or something. Only steam trains for special trips! Government sold off the railways and now we have horrible trucks, milk tankers, logging trucks, concrete trucks on our roads destroying the road surfaces and creating noise hazard and traffic hazzards. And now we are being taxed through the nose to fund electric trains! Madness, what is the point in taking buses either buses are non existent for when I want to travel to and from work, and would add an extra two hours a day. Work life balance my eye. Its ok for the likes of Cullen. Fleecing the taxpayer and then having the audacity to take higher and higher wages! I have voted Labour for 20 years. Guess what! Bye Labour.
Eve
No I am not happy. We already have a 5c surcharge, which was supposed to be for roading. Will this new surcharge be excl GST? I feel the Government is double dipping. Petrol price increases mean more GST...we are being cheated.
Wil (Pakuranga)
There's no trains in Pakuranga why should we pay? Pay too much tax now & for what?
Wayne (Hamilton)
The money to fix up Auckland's rail network and the road should come out of government coffers. Why is it the only way this government can create wealth is to increase taxes? We need a government with the political will to fix Auckland's problems.
David Hay
What would the exact cost of this Be, it's not just the Trains, it's the extra supply of power how are we going to handle this. Why are other means not being investigated including maybe using hydrogen with our existing second-hand units!
Dolly
I will continue to use my vehicle (currently car-pooling) regardless of any increase in petrol tax. There are no trains in my suburb so that is not an option. Bussing to and from work would add approximately an hour at each end of the day to my journey, plus I have issues with walking to and from the bus stop in the dark during winter, and waiting in an isolated industrial area before and after work for buses to arrive. It would also cost at least $60 per week to use public transport. Taxes are a necessity to have the things we require (police, military, fire service etc) but the government has been chewing up road taxes for many years without providing decent roads or public transport. I have no faith in any government's ability to utilise the millions gleaned from road and petrol taxes in any positive manner.
Mike (Auckland)
The only thing Cullen has left out is to state in budget that people have to work and their pay will directly go to government treasury. Every individual will then get fixed amount back from treasury per week. Why would I pay more tax to get something when government is already sitting on healthly surplus?
Cedric
I note the oil companies have introduced their latest price rises to co-incide with this new tax, after softening everyone up with a "special" over the weekend ... bah humbugs. Nothing like a double wammy to keep the masses on their toes! Also got a letter from the bank saying my mortgage rate is increasing. No wonder we've got rampant inflation happening. Trains are a good idea but we need to get the motorway network running properly first, I'll gladly donate the last few cents left out of my pay for this cause.
Jan
The rail train is a good public transportation system if it works probably. However, the current rail network is too narrow does not cover extensive wider Auckland dense areas, such as increasing population of Botany and all along Pakuranga to Howick where the congestions are no less than other area. For people from these areas can not see the benefit of paying more tax to build an electric train system (except more environmental friendly)that they can not use.
Ponsonby
Our city has under invested in infrastructure for far too long. Paying these taxes now is the cost of our short sightedness and nothing compared to the short sightedness of not electrifying our trains.
Paul the soon to be pauper (Auckland)
Questions for little Mickey Cullen. Exactly how much of the 10 cents will actually be spent on our new train set? Is there room for yet another regional quango to swallow whatever advantages could be gained from yet another tax?
Colin Francois
If the Budget plan for rail & other public transport goes ahead, the poor suffering commuters from the North Shore will get screwed again! They don't have rail,(its unreliable for commuters anyway, and doesn't go where travellers want it to.)Buses are a joke ex North Shore. (Try getting to Henderson quickly on one!) and the Council couldn't be trusted to organise a party in a brewery, much less contribute worthwhile solutions to growing transport local needs! Give North Shore travellers a tunnel under the harbour! Greens have no positive contribution to make for commuter travel in the 21st Century!
Chris Galloway
This news of a fuel tax is unreal...as a Kiwi formerly from Auckland now living in Australia, reading about the fuel tax, stratospheric rate rises and water price increases makes me wonder why anyone who has left Auckland would ever want to return?
Daniel
No way, I am on the North Shore and its hard enough trying to get around on the buses. A train is a ridiculous idea and would only add extra travel time and hassle, and thats if I was near the train. If you have to waste money, waste it on a better bus system.
Tony Olissoff
Tax motorists to fund trains is more madness. If trains delivered the service we want, we would use them. If they paid their own way, they would be proving their usefulness. They don't in Auckland. How about radical thinking like; We have motorways. Connect motorways to each other! Eastern connected properly to northern and southern! Why can't an overbridge pass over the Wiri Stn Rd end of the m'way? Why can't a free left turn lane at the same intersection be put there so folks can get to the Southern, or just link the thing to the southerm m'way? This is either a conspiracy of the ARC / Gov't to defeat any possibility of the motorway expenditure actually producing a result, or systematic stupidity of the most grueling order. In either case, we the taxpayers are being treated as stupid and our good graces abused in a most cavalier fashion.Fix what we have, then see if more is warranted.
Jerry
No, People don't use the current rail system, why should motorists pay for a service which people are not going to support by utilising. What a waste of money and a white elephant, not to mention a legacy to stupidity it will be.
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