Motorway toll would go on road-widening, transport debate told

24 cents from each $2 toll would go into administration costs, the transport debate audience was told. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A $2 motorway toll in Auckland will largely go to widen roads, not build better public transport and cycleways, a debate on transport issues was told last night.

What's more, the cost of setting up motorway tolls would be $108 million and 24 cents from each toll would go in administration costs.

These points, and the fairness of motorway tolls, were made at the Auckland Conversations event that discussed the key transport issues in the council's 10-year budget.

Mayor Len Brown told the largely pro-public transport gathering that he was not overly keen on a $6.9 billion "basic transport" option in the budget and supported the $10.3 billion "Auckland Plan" option, funded by tolls or a mix of a regional fuel tax and higher rates.

"No more postponing decisions for the next generation. This is the time for change and a time for getting Auckland moving," Mr Brown said.

But while there are just two options in the budget for Aucklanders to choose from, public transport lobbyists on a panel last night had different ideas.

Generation Zero director Dr Sudhvir Singh outlined a plan that gives priority to the essential public transport projects in the Auckland Plan network.

Pippa Coom, a member of the Waitemata Local Board and cycling advocate, said the community was sceptical about paying another tax and could not stomach any more rates increases. "Why isn't the Government funding public transport in the same way they fund state highways," she said.

Transport Blog editor Patrick Reynolds echoed that message, saying it was rapid transit services like the Northern Busway and growth in rail passengers to 13 million where the Government should be spending more money.

On the issue of light rail, Auckland Transport chief executive David Warburton said it was a transformational shift to address bus congestion in a triangle of the Auckland isthmus not well served by heavy rail. Dr Warburton said it would operate around the old tram routes that were capable of taking light rail.

Fran O'Sullivan chaired the debate as a Herald-nominated moderator.