New Zealand will invest in more electric trains in and has committed funds to a new light rail line in Auckland, as part of its new three-year funding strategy.
New Zealand will spend almost $4 billion on public transport projects over the next three years, under the $16.9 billion National Land Transport Programme announced on Friday.
Transport minister Phil Twyford said the $16.9 billion program, which covers investment from 2018 to 2021, represented an 18% funding increase since the 2015-18 plan.
“This record investment in our transport system will help grow our regions, make it easier to get around our cities, and save lives on our roads,” Twyford said.
“It will deliver the best results for our transport dollar.”
The NLTP comprises $12.9 billion from the National Land Transport Fund, a combination of the fuel excise, road user charges and other revenue sources. A further $3.4 billion comes from local governments, and $557 million comes via other Crown investments.
Most of the funding will go to road projects.
But almost $4 billion of it will go to public transport projects aimed at cutting into congestion in New Zealand’s cities.
In Auckland, the funding means work can get properly underway to deliver light rail between the centre of the city and Mangere, and to the northwest of the city.
Improvements to Puhinui station will enhance access to Auckland Airport.
There’s money committed to provide a third main line between Westfield and Wiri, and upgrade Westfield rail junction to provide better separation of passenger and freight services.
And the plan sets aside funding for new electric trains.
“To ease congestion and make Auckland a healthier place to live, $1.9 billion will be invested in public transport, a 56% increase from 2015-18,” Twyford said.