Auckland light rail to Māngere delayed as talks on who will deliver it continue

Thursday, 22 August 2019

Work to build a light rail link between Auckland's CBD and Māngere has been pushed back as more work is needed on how it will be delivered.

Both New Zealand Transport Agency and NZ Infra - which includes the NZ Super Fund and Canada's CDPQ Infra Group - have now been asked to develop proposals for the delivery of the project which the Government will then consider.

Those plans are expected to take up to six months to be developed, meaning there won't be 'spades in the ground' in 2020, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said.

An artist's visualisation of light rail proposed for Auckland by the Labour Party.

'We have to make sure that it will be fit for purpose for generations to come, that's why we're taking the time to examine the different proposals in detail and get it right.'

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26102017. AUCKLAND TRANSPORT. Artist's rendition of proposed Dominion Rd light rail route, Auckland. 26-N-lightrailA[Enlarged and reuploaded from unique ID:635044341

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The Labour-led Government took over the project from Auckland Council after committing in the 2017 election to build it. It pledged to build two lines, one from the city centre to Mt Roskill and out to Māngere and the airport, the other to the northwest, perhaps as far as Kumeu.

Twyford said light rail would be a 'game-changer' for Auckland, with the project able to carry 11,000 commuters an hour - equal to about four lanes of motorway.

NZ Infra wants to co-design the rail link with the Government, while accepting the majority of the financing and risk.

Meanwhile NZTA is looking at delivery models using a public-private partnership.

Twyford said both options were credible, but needed further development, which was critical to delivering rail to Auckland in the best way possible.

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport would be closely involved in the process.

Light Rail has been advocated by Auckland Transport as the best mode for major central Auckland bus routes which are nearing peak capacity even with double deckers along arterials such as Dominion Road.

It handed over the project to the NZTA after the Labour-led Government pledged to fully fund the project, although only 'seed' funding has been committed so far.

Stuff previously asked Auckland Mayor Phil Goff whether he was satisfied the Government and NZTA were moving as fast as should be expected.

'I'm never satisfied, I want things done more quickly and for the Government to go further, and I make that point to them,' he said.

The signs for the northwest rail link were less promising, and Goff added.

'The key priority needs to be in the isthmus, and if you can't do both as once, this is where you need to start,' he said.

'I've made it clear to the Government that while they might be looking at a West Auckland line, the priority in my mind is the isthmus - that priority is based on Auckland Transport's statistics on where the bus routes are facing congestion.'