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Transport reforms are a step closer due to a new Act passing its third reading in parliament.
Auckland Mayor, Wayne Brown, says the reforms deliver on his core promise to get the city moving by returning accountability to the region’s elected leaders.
“I was elected to take back control of Auckland Transport (AT) and we have delivered. We are returning decision-making to the people Aucklanders actually voted for,” he confirms.
“Auckland Transport will be a much smaller organisation, solely focused on delivery of public transport services – with strong oversight from councillors. Their job will be to make sure the buses and ferries show up on time and to make the most of the City Rail Link.”
All other roading functions will be run by Auckland Council. The priority will be to standardise and optimise the network, Brown says.
“This is about giving Aucklanders their time back. An efficient, reliable network underpins our productivity and quality of life. This requires fundamental reform, not just more projects. It means casting aside costly, overdone schemes for smaller, smarter fixes that can be implemented faster.”
Council will work with central government through a new Auckland Regional Transport Committee to ensure decisions align with urban development and long-term growth, he adds.
Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, says the reforms will restore accountability while responsibility for most transport functions shifts to council, including policy and planning work.
The council will become the road controlling authority and deliver transport capital projects while maintaining infrastructure, he says.
“For 16 years, Auckland Transport has held powers that local councils manage elsewhere. That has meant it hasn’t had the say it needs to govern and set the direction for the city’s transport,” says Bishop.
“The new Act will give Auckland Council the opportunity to take the lead and hold elected members accountable for transport decisions that will support Auckland’s long-term future and positively impact people’s daily lives through fit-for-purpose transport infrastructure.”
The reforms follow the Auckland City Deal, which establishes agreed transport priorities.
The new Act will also see local boards enlisted to ensure local communities have a say in decisions. Boards will make decisions about local and collector roads including setting speed limits, closing roads for events, managing parking and creating cycleways.
In general, shifting power from national to local level will improve Auckland’s transport network, Bishop expects.
“The legislation sets the foundations for restored democratic accountability [and] Aucklanders are able to hold elected members responsible for transport policies at the ballot box. It also signals a much closer transport partnership between government and Auckland Council. I look forward to seeing Auckland reap the benefits from this Act.”
