Electric trains funding a kickstart for public transport use

Funding for electric trains is the kickstart needed to get more Manukau residents using public transport, Manukau Mayor Len Brown says.

Manukau City Council is welcoming news that a $500 million loan will be provided to Kiwirail by the government to buy a fleet of electric trains for Auckland.

“We’ve got to power up public transport in Manukau and the rest of the region. We welcome the announcement that funding has been secured for electric trains.

“The Government’s support for this vital infrastructure is the news we’ve been waiting for. I do however want to understand if there will be any implications for fares in the longer term when this is a loan rather than direct funding.

“Certainty around government funding for transport is always a major concern so confirmation of this loan is welcome.

“Along with recent developments like double tracking the western line, the overall electrification project, the Manukau rail link and Newmarket station we are seeing progress in getting better transport options for our city,” Mr Brown says.

Transport Portfolio Leader David Collings welcomes the Government’s positive step for Auckland’s public transport.

“Electric trains make it possible to get a greater frequency of services during peak times. It will also mean we can increase capacity so projects like the inner city rail loop can go ahead and trains can run more often on the new Manukau rail link when it opens.

“We need these new modern, efficient electric trains to really get our city moving and make public transport a realistic alternative to using the car. We need to focus on making it easier to get around the city for both business and residents, better public transport options will help that.

“Electric trains also have the added advantage of having less impact on the environment,” Cr Collings says.

Mr Brown says a modern, efficient public transport system will help keep the Auckland region, the country’s biggest economy, moving.

“The new Auckland Council will need to have a focus on rolling out further public transport developments across the region.

“All of Manukau and the Auckland region will be looking forward to the day they can jump on a new electric train and move quickly across the city.”