Governments team up to solve Auckland's transport issues

For the first time, central and local government have partnered to work out the solutions to Auckland's transport issues. Photo / Richard Robinson

For the first time, central and local government have partnered to work out the solutions to Auckland's transport issues.

Released this afternoon, the Auckland Transport Alignment foundation report addresses the main challenges facing the city and what the future looks like, including another harbour crossing and autonomous cars.

Medium growth projections are that the city's population will increase by more than 700,000 or by 50 per cent over the next 30 years and the number of jobs will increase by more than 270,000 (about 40 per cent). Nearly a third of this growth will occur beyond 20km of the city centre. This growing population will put pressure on Auckland's transport networks.

The report identifies the main issues that need to be focused on as:

•Access to employment and labour by making jobs accessible by car within 30 minutes and by public transport within 45 minutes during the morning peak.

•Congestion

•Public transport which will be measure by the proportion of vehicular trips in the morning peak made by public transport.

It also includes a timeline of the major infrastructure developments, including the City Rail Link and the Western Ring Route to be completed by 2025, rail electrification and the Northwestern Busway by 2035 and an additional harbour crossing and rail to Auckland Airport by 2045.

The report found Auckland lags behind Australian cities in travel time reliability, public transport and the overall size of its available labour pool.

And the freight industry is projected to grow in size by 78 per cent.

But the report recognises there has been "a very significant increase" in transport investment by the Government over the last decade which has contributed to a number of major roading improvements and upgrades to arterial routes, among other upgrades.

It also recognises technological developments and raises how advancements like electric and autonomous vehicles, car-sharing technologies and improved traffic information will shape the future.

Auckland mayor Len Brown has hailed the report as a "giant step forward" in agreeing Auckland's transport investments. It's clear that the views between the council and government are extremely close in thinking, he said.

"For decades, Auckland local government and various governments bickered about the city's transport issues but no more."

Mr Brown said the united approach is crucial to Auckland's continuing success as a highly-sought after place to live and do business in.