Rugby World Cup ignites plans to relieve city's gridlock worries

A $600 million plan to double Auckland's public transport capacity has been fast-tracked in a bid to relieve gridlock woes in time for the start of the Rugby World Cup.

As the eyes of the world will be on Auckland in 2011, transport chiefs have decided to accelerate plans originally scheduled for completion in 2016 with projects around rail, buses and park-and-ride facilities.

Funding will come from central government, regional rates and cash reserves. Rates are not planned to increase by more than 5 per cent.

The figures do not include electrification of the rail network, part of a wider 25-year upgrade plan.

The only fresh project is the creation of a shuttle service from Britomart to Kingsland and building a transport hub around Eden Park.

Auckland Regional Holdings - which manages assets of $1.17 billion from the former Infrastructure Auckland - will provide more than $100 million toward the $600 million bill. The Government, meanwhile, has agreed to provide 100 per cent funding to expand the rail network, including double-tracking many lines in time for the tournament.

Essentially the plans revolve around more trains and tracks, improved rail facilities, twice the number of buses, shuttle services and more park-and-ride options.

The ultimate aim is to increase patronage from 52 million passengers a year to 100 million.

As part of the plan, Auckland's bus fleet will double from 900 to 1800 and the number of trains will increase from 34 to 50.

Although Albany has not been confirmed as a Cup venue, more park-and-ride facilities are planned.

The key projects in the $600 million transport plan are completing the North Shore busway by 2009, double-tracking the western railway line by September 2008 and improving capacity at Newmarket station.

Much of the focus will be around Auckland's Eden Park where some of the key matches of the 2011 World Cup will be played. Plans are to increase the frequency of train services into nearby Kingsland station as well as more regular bus services into Mt Eden.

The plans are unlikely to cause any major traffic disruption over the next five years as most will not affect existing public transport services.

Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee chairman Joel Cayford predicted little difficulty in meeting the 2011 deadline.

"Our new goal is to boost those public transport levels in time for the Rugby World Cup to help make it a world-class event.

"Bad traffic congestion would be a poor image for Auckland and New Zealand and leave a lot of overseas visitors very grumpy," he said.

Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard welcomed the moves, saying it was imperative the city had a world-class public transport system by 2011.

"One quarter of the world will be focusing on Auckland during that period. We need to showcase this city and public transport will be part of that. It will also be a fantastic asset for the city afterwards."

Eden Park Trust Board chief executive John Alexander said he was encouraged about what was planned for the event and the area.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY