City Rail Link vital for Auckland transport

Auckland Council's announcement of the route for the City Rail Link tunnel is another step forward for a much-needed transport project, Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said today.

"The City Rail Link would at least double the capacity of the Auckland rail system, increasing frequency and patronage, and enable high quality urban development, rather than endless sprawl.

The City Rail Link would transform Auckland and equip its transport network for the 21st century.
"This project that will keep Auckland moving while reducing congestion, carbon emissions, and road crashes.

"The City Rail Link is a much better use of public money than the $12 billion in low and negative value motorways that the National Government is intent on building.

"The Auckland Regional Transport Programme shows the Government spending more than twice as much on new motorways in the coming three years as on service and infrastructure for public transport, walking, and cycling combined.

"With petrol predicted to hit $5 a litre by next decade and traffic volumes already falling, that's completely backwards.

"The Green Party would offer 60% central government funding in addition to council money to get the City Rail Link built," said Ms Genter.