As at 24/10 we have very little detailed information about the nature of the transport related items in the coalition deal Labour/NZ First, and the confidence and supply deal Labour/Greens.
So far the key points relate to:
• Rail: Significant investment in regional rail. – [We’re not sure exactly what this means]
• Auckland Port: Commissioning a feasibility study on moving the Ports of Auckland to Northport – [It’s hard to imagine this flying – Auckland won’t want to lose control of their own destiny in a port/shipping sense, and it’s hard to imagine the Greens being happy with an increase in carbon miles for the transport from Northport to Auckland. Not to mention the absolutely massive cost to upgrade rail from Northland to Auckland]
• Transport: Investigate a Green Transport Card to reduce the cost of public transport for low-income people and welfare recipients, prioritise National Land Transport Fund towards rail infrastructure as well as cycling and walking, cancel Auckland’s East-West motorway link, work towards light rail from Auckland city to airport [The East-West cancellation is a shame, and we’re surprised that the NZ First preference for heavy rail to the airport wasn’t adopted in the Labour/Green deal]