Specific costs of rail to Auckland Airport and the city’s west need to be outlined before a regional fuel tax is locked in, the Automobile Association says.
Principal advisor Barney Irvine says business cases also need to be provided, outlining more detail about connectivity and numbers around congestion relief.
“There are still question marks about whether the step up from dedicated busways to light rail makes sense. This sort of detail needs to be provided before the scheme is locked in,” he wrote in a Driven column.
The association also want Aucklanders to have a say.
“Alternative funding, including a regional fuel tax, has been at the centre of the transport debate in Auckland but the public has not had a proper chance to have its say.
“The upcoming consultation around the council’s long-term plan (in February and March next year) is the right time to gauge how Aucklanders feel about a fuel tax to help fund light rail.”
An AA survey last year showed 51% were comfortable with the fuel tax or felt it could at least be considered.
“A meaningful conversation with the public will give the plan greater legitimacy, and will give the council a steer on how to mix and match funding options in a way that people can get behind.”
It also wants the tax kept in Auckland.
“Other parts of the country don’t face infrastructure pressures as critical as those of Auckland, and aren’t set to create the same burden for taxpayers on a national scale.”
