Auckland, New Zealand, Council’s Budget Committee has agreed to introduce an interim transport levy so that work can begin on fixing the city’s transport problems.
The interim levy is in response to the majority of Aucklanders opting to pay more for the Auckland Transport Network Plan during public consultation and in an independent survey earlier this year.
To fill the US$9 billion funding gap for the full Auckland Plan network, Auckland also opted for a motorway user charge.
Given that a user charge would require legislation and take a number of years working with government to put in place, the three-year interim levy allows for immediate new investments of US$372 million in transport.
These new investments will include increases in walking and cycling funding across Auckland funding for the north-western busway and an additional 45 kilometres of bus lanes, as well as park and ride extensions, delivering arterial and local road networks and public transport safety improvements for rail crossings.
The interim levy is in response to the majority of Aucklanders opting to pay more for the Auckland Transport Network Plan during public consultation and in an independent survey earlier this year.
To fill the US$9 billion funding gap for the full Auckland Plan network, Auckland also opted for a motorway user charge.
Given that a user charge would require legislation and take a number of years working with government to put in place, the three-year interim levy allows for immediate new investments of US$372 million in transport.
These new investments will include increases in walking and cycling funding across Auckland funding for the north-western busway and an additional 45 kilometres of bus lanes, as well as park and ride extensions, delivering arterial and local road networks and public transport safety improvements for rail crossings.
