Labour to invest in regional roads, rail

Jacinda in Tauranga today. Photo: Ryan Wood.

Labour will invest in a rapid rail network connecting Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga, and double funding to help complete important regional roading projects, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern.

Jacinda made the announcement during her visit in Tauranga today.

'The ‘Golden Triangle' of Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga contains half our population and economy.

In the next 25 years, it is projected to gain another 800,000 people – three-quarters of national population growth. It's time this growing region had a modern, rapid rail service.

'Labour will back the Regional Rapid Rail plan, starting with a $20m commitment to establishing a passenger service between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga. If stage one is a success and demand justifies it, Labour will look to invest in stages two and three of the Regional Rapid Rail plan, delivering passenger and freight services travelling up to 160km/h throughout the regions, and south to Rotorua.

'Labour will boost transport investment in regional projects across the country by doubling the funding range in the Government Policy Statement. This will lift funding available for regional projects from $70m-$140m a year to $140-$280m a year. Our regions are growing rapidly – and our roads are struggling to cope with increased heavy traffic and tourist vehicles," says Jacinda.

'In government, Labour will hold an urgent roading summit with councils to work out a shared plan to accelerate projects that would otherwise be delayed or never be built. We will particularly focus on fixing accident blackspots, given the worrying rise in the road toll outside the main centres in recent years.

'The increased funding will be available for all regions and for all transport modes.

'Labour's regional transport plan will make New Zealand an even better place to live, work, visit, and do business. Let's do this."

Jacinda visited the Edgewater Fan on The Strand before heading to Merivale Primary School.

You may also like....

10 comments

Has to happen

Posted on 21-08-2017 11:05 | By waiknot

A decent public transport system will also help the housing crisis making smaller communities viable to live in and commute.


What a joke!

Posted on 21-08-2017 11:42 | By Papamoaner

The greens said "national allowed the rail system to rust away" but in actual fact it was Rogernomics under Labour that "restructured" our railways to destruction. The greens weren't even born then!If we get a new rail system at all, it's more likely to happen under a national government than Labour. Jacinda is just electioneering, but I guess we can't blame her for that. We just hope the majority vote with their brains, not just on a fresh young face and a bubbly personality.


.............and

Posted on 21-08-2017 12:15 | By The Hobbit

.......what will be cut to pay for all this or how much will my taxes go up by?


Four hours to Auckland

Posted on 21-08-2017 13:30 | By Ron

Imagine: a train that stops at every small town between here and Auckland that is at least the size of Morrinsville.Imagine: extra parking buildings in the Tauranga CBD so that people can drive into town to get out of townImagine: arriving in the Auckland CBD and then wondering how to get to the appointment in St Lukes or Takapuna or PakurangaImagine: how much the tickets per person will be compared to sharing a car to Auckland.


Legalised Highway Robbery about to commence.

Posted on 21-08-2017 14:28 | By The Tomahawk Kid

. . . and guess who is going to pay for it? All of those out working will have an even bigger share of what they earn stolen from them before it gets to their pay packet. All of those not working will also get their (NOT) fair share of it too under hard Labour. And it will impact on them too because although they will get a bigger handout, they will need more to cover the increased prices of EVERYTHING. And no doubt everyone will blame increased prices on those nasty big businesses (who provide you with everything you desire). Just another advanced auction of stolen goods by Labour.


Ssssllllooooowwwwwww train

Posted on 21-08-2017 16:21 | By maildrop

Up to 160kph! Is it going to be steam powered? How quaint.


At what point

Posted on 21-08-2017 18:25 | By Tgaboy

Did labour say they would raise taxes? Did I miss something? Please someone tell me why everyone is saying taxes will be raised. Papamoaner, if National is the alternative then it's a very sad one. I have nothing nice to say about the state of NZ under their watch.


Yes,

Posted on 21-08-2017 22:11 | By groutby

...it does seem like a promise of pretty "average" proportions, but when you start with nothing...??...but realistically, 20 million will NOT go anywhere, but is a good "election boosting" number....facts and business plan on the table will not look good for this Labour promise.


passenger rail

Posted on 22-08-2017 10:58 | By jaydeegee

Bring it on! 4 hours is not much longer than a car journey and you can relax, walk around and have a snack or two! Less stress than driving - minimize risk of vehicle crashes on SH2. Avoid the Auckland motorway chaos! Added bonus - will encourage regional development and country towns. Can't be bad.I don't care which political party does it. Bring it on soonest.


@Jaydeegee

Posted on 22-08-2017 18:58 | By Papamoaner

You understated that when you said chaos. HELL might be a better word. Driving in Auckland now is worse that driving in Manila. It used to be the other way around!


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.