Key Takeaways:
- Auckland’s transport planning has improved significantly, with a comprehensive Frequent Transit Network and the introduction of e-buses.
- The City Rail Link (CRL) and rapid transit network will transform the city, but require a shift in mindset away from car dependency.
- The government’s Roads of National Significance (Rons) program is facing criticism for its high costs and lack of transparency.
- Auckland’s city center is undergoing significant changes, with the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) aiming to create more public spaces and reduce car dominance.
- The city’s growth and development require a balanced approach, taking into account the needs of different communities and the environment.
Introduction to Auckland’s Transport Planning
Auckland’s transport planning has come a long way, with significant improvements in recent years. According to Patrick Reynolds, a former member of the Waka Kotahi board, the city’s Frequent Transit Network is "almost unimaginably good" and "easily the most comprehensive, effective, and efficient in any Australasian city." The network has buses running at least every 15 minutes, seven days a week, from 7am to 7pm, and many of these buses are electric. Reynolds also praised the introduction of e-buses, saying they are "a great thing for anyone who enjoys breathing."
The City Rail Link and Rapid Transit Network
The CRL and rapid transit network will play a crucial role in transforming Auckland’s transport system. Reynolds emphasized that these projects should not be seen as separate entities, but as part of an evolving transit network that includes rapid busways, ferries, and potentially light rail. The rapid transit map shows that services will eventually reach all parts of the city, providing a comprehensive and efficient transport system. Reynolds also highlighted the importance of the Frequent Transit Network, which is already "almost unimaginably good" and will be further enhanced by the CRL.
Challenges in Transport Planning
Despite the progress made, Reynolds noted that transport planning in Auckland still has its blind spots. One of the main challenges is the high cost of new transit projects, such as the Eastern Busway and the Northwest Busway. Reynolds attributed this to "extreme rich-country behavior," where projects are designed to fully indulge everyone’s needs without considering trade-offs. He also criticized the lack of transparency in infrastructure spending, particularly in the government’s Rons program. The program’s costs are estimated to be around $56 billion, with nearly 90% of this amount not budgeted.
The Roads of National Significance Program
The Rons program has been criticized for its high costs and lack of transparency. The Ministry of Transport has released documents on the program, but almost all the information is redacted. The program’s benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) are also not publicly available, making it difficult to assess the value of the projects. Reynolds argued that the program’s costs are "giganticulous" and that the country cannot afford to build transport projects that are this expensive. He also noted that the program’s costs will double the cost of maintenance and renewals of the entire state highway network.
Auckland’s City Center Development
Auckland’s city center is undergoing significant changes, with the CCMP aiming to create more public spaces and reduce car dominance. Reynolds praised the leadership of Mayor Len Brown and the Auckland Design Office, which developed the CCMP. He argued that the plan has been successful in creating public spaces like Quay St and Te Komititanga, which have become popular destinations for pedestrians. However, he also noted that the plan needs updating, particularly as many of its proposals have not been implemented.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Auckland’s transport planning has made significant progress, but there are still challenges to be addressed. The CRL and rapid transit network will play a crucial role in transforming the city’s transport system, but require a shift in mindset away from car dependency. The government’s Rons program needs to be more transparent and cost-effective, and the city’s growth and development require a balanced approach that takes into account the needs of different communities and the environment. As Reynolds said, "We’re in a weird sort of interregnum, after the old, but before the new." However, with the right approach, Auckland can become a city that functions well for all its residents, with a comprehensive and efficient transport system and a vibrant, people-friendly city center.
