Reaction: transport plan on track

The Government's long-awaited transport fix was unveiled yesterday - a strategy designed to relieve congestion in Auckland and kickstart major regional projects.

The 10-year programme starts in April 2005 when motorists will pay more for fuel to fund new projects. Here is some reaction to the plan, from political and sector group figures.

Auckland mayoral forum chairman John Laws:

"This is a great Christmas present for Auckland and for the rest of the country."

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Paul Winter, Employers and Manufacturers Association:

"Today's 5c a litre petrol tax rise comes on top of a 4.6c a litre increase levied earlier this year. Government and its agency Transfund have clearly been collecting a lot more funds from this revenue source."

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Michael Barnett, chief executive Auckland Chamber of Commerce:

"After almost two years of local debate, central Government has stepped in and provided a platform of certainty for transport in Auckland. If there is one thing Auckland should learn from this, it is that this is what happens when Auckland cannot sort out its own affairs."

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Tony Friedlander, chief executive Road Transport Forum:

"The extra direct funding from Government is a much-needed boost towards solving some of the most pressing roading problems, though it won't meet all the need."

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Bob Elliot, chief executive Gisborne District Council:

"Being a responsible representative of a political group I would have to say this is not enough. But it's a national issue and not a piecemeal issue and is in everyone's interests."

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David Peart, Environment Waikato

"It's simply not enough. We are pleased to see that all the money raised in taxes from petrol is going to roading, but we would have preferred to see more use of funds in the consolidated account."

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Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis:

"We could always claim we want more funding but I think the Government has been extremely generous. They have not only taken into account the needs of Auckland [but also] the needs of the rest of New Zealand in relation to the petrol tax."

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Auckland Regional Council chairwoman Gwen Bull:

"Simply, it means more money and less organisations and that is good for the region."

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Auckland Mayor John Banks:

"A very good beginning to the end of gridlock traffic in Auckland. I give the Government 7.5 out of 10. On governance the devil will be in the detail."

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Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey:

"If we get State Highway 16 and a fully double-tracked electrified railway by 2006, then we will look back on this day and realise it was the turning point we all wanted."

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Stephen Selwood, Automobile Association:

"It's a really good first step and it's great to see funding is finally coming. But it's only half of what we need and we look forward to finding the other half."

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Local Government Minister Chris Carter:

"I think everyone agrees that present governance arrangements for Auckland's transport are confused, inefficient and ineffectual."