The New Zealand Green Party would give priority to funding better public transport, walking and cycling ahead of new motorways if it was in government. The Transport policy, announced by spokesperson and party co-leader, Jeanette Fitzsimons, promises to double the central funding for public transport in the first year of government, while keeping the current budget for maintaining and renewing existing roads.
"Over the first five years we would increase the spending on public transport, rail, walking and cycling to two-thirds of total transport spending. With better public transport, and new cycling and walking projects, our present roading infrastructure – well-maintained – will be all we need.”
"Climate change and peak oil are major challenges that will reshape our economy and our transport system. We need to start preparing now." Responsibility for funding walking, cycling and public transport would be shifted from councils to government.
Cheaper Public Transport
Special features of the Green policy are:-
- Introduction of $1 ‘anywhere for 2 hours’ off-peak fares on all services.
- Creation of cheaper day, week and month passes for public transport, usable on all services, with a 50% discount for children, beneficiaries and students
- ‘Smart cards’ across all buses, trains and ferries, making journeys seamless and integrated.
Transport Strategy for Wellington
“Wellington desperately needs more trains, more buses, and better public transport. The Green Party has laid out an affordable plan for this to happen,” says Wellington Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley who announced the local strategy.
Greens would build a light rail network from Johnsonville and the Hutt through to the airport. It would run on electric power and cost less than half the amount of Transmission Gully.
Sue Kedgley says Greens would make Wellington more people-friendly and liveable by promoting safer walkways and cycling and funding the Great Harbourway, a walking and cycling trail stretching right the way around our harbour. "We will complete our regional cycle network. The $1 off peak fare on public transport would encourage people to trave off peak, reducing congestion at peak hour."
Auckland Transport Strategy
Green Member of Parlieament and spokesperson for Auckland Transport, Keith Lock, says the Green Party Transport Plan for Auckland includes:-
- One electronic ticket, which passengers can use on all buses, trains and ferries.
- More frequent services with the aim of 10 minute services on most routes at rush hour.
- Bus lanes along all major corridors
- Separated cycleways or cycle lanes along all major routes.
- Each road and intersection reviewed to make it is pedestrian friendly.
- Provide cheaper day, week and month passes you can use on all services, with a 50% discount for children, beneficiaries and students.
- Reducing speed limits where lots of people, especially children, walk and giving cyclists better legal protection
