The National Party’s $24 billion ‘Transport for the Future’ infrastructure policy includes fully funding the Eastern Busway project and the construction of new major roads around the country.
Party leader and Botany MP Christopher Luxon joined Pakuranga MP and National’s transport spokesperson Simeon Brown to unveil the policy on July 31.
Luxon says a National Government will build key transport connections which will slash congestion, unlock housing growth, boost productivity and lift incomes.
“National’s vision is for New Zealand to become one of the world’s leading small advanced economies, and our transport plan will help drive prosperity and lift the standard of living for all New Zealanders.
“With National’s Transport for the Future plan in place, New Zealanders will be able to get where they want to go faster and spend less time in their cars and more time doing what they love.
“Freight will also move more efficiently around the country, improving productivity.”
The policy features the delivery of 13 new roads of national significance, including stage one of Mill Road in south-east Auckland.
Luxon says National will deliver better public transport including a rapid transit network in Auckland with transport corridors in the North West, Botany to Auckland Airport, and the full Eastern Busway.
The policy states the Eastern Busway creates separate lanes for high-frequency bus services to connect people in the eastern suburbs with the rail network in Panmure.
“The original plan was for the busway to extend all the way to Botany, but the final stage has not been funded, with the current project only funded to Burswood.
“National will complete the busway to Botany, including construction of the Reeves Road Flyover.”
The party says the Botany to Auckland Airport project will deliver a new 18km dedicated rapid transit public transport route via Manukau.
“This will connect to the Auckland rail network at Puhinui Station and will connect to the Eastern Busway at a new Botany interchange.”
Auckland needs a modern rapid transit system to increase public transport choices, unlock housing growth, and build on the investment already made in the City Rail Link, the policy says.
“Labour has wasted the past six years talking about Light Rail but failing to deliver a single metre of track.”
Luxon says his party will rebuild regions and improve resilience with priorities to rebuild flood- and cyclone-damaged areas.
“The $24 billion Transport for the Future package will be funded through reallocated money from the National Land Transport Fund, additional Government investment and other innovative funding tools like value capture – where developers who benefit from new infrastructure contribute to the cost, and equity finance opportunities for local and global investors.”
Brown says the party’s plan will “cut congestion, provide more low-emission transport options and create a more productive and resilient transport network that drives economic growth to boost incomes and unlock land for thousands of houses”.
“National’s vision is to provide New Zealanders with safer, faster and more reliable transport options so they can get to work, get their kids to school, and freight can move around the country more easily.”
Brown says National will scrap Labour’s Auckland Light Rail project, which is estimated to cost more than $14b.
