Meeting the Challenge MOVING AUCKLAND Resource Management Law Association 28 April 2004 Jo Brosnahan, CEO Auckland Regional Council

Transport Characteristics Strong population growth Increased travel demand and traffic volumes Dispersed trip patterns Geographical and capacity constraints Increasing levels of congestion Transport and land use closely linked

Auckland Region - Growth Estimated population of 1.3 million – and growing. Growth rate 1.5% per annum Expected to reach 2 million by 2050 Auckland Regional Growth Strategy (RGS)

Auckland Region - Growth Key Elements of RGS Selective intensification along major transport routes and nodes Better transport choices Wider variety of housing choices

Auckland’s Regional Land Transport Strategy Close connection with Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) RGS focus on ‘selective intensification’ Under review

Auckland Transport Action Group Auckland Transport Action Group (ATAG) Focus on transport solutions Identified: Public transport and roads face similar challenges: governance, funding, process Actions to speed implementation of the key components of RLTS Recommended: Increased funding for public transport Better governance structures, tighter agency alignment with RLTS Improvement of RMA processes

Governance Too many parties with non- aligned objectives Poor link between decision- making and financial responsibility Huge transaction costs – inefficient

Decades of Underinvestment Public transport in decline, not integrated Motorway network development largely static Poor inter-agency co-operation Failed attempts to bring in rapid transit Until Late 1990’s:

Funding Multiple agencies – overlap No logical framework No firm alignment to RLTS priorities –e.g. funding of long-term trains Transfund: “first principles” review

Process Who makes the decisions? Legislative constraints: –Who funds what? –Incompatibility between fully competitive environment and integrated system –Powers withheld

Progress with RLTS Roading – complete strategic network Passenger Transport – significant improvements including rapid transit Travel Demand Management (TDM) – walking, cycling, travel plans, teleworking, ridesharing etc

Government Announcement December $1.62b over 10 years – significant increase in funding Establish single body to be responsible for Auckland transport Law changes to enable Auckland to make and implement decisions on transport needs

Key Players in Auckland Transport ARC RGS, RLTS, RPS ARC RGS, RLTS, RPS ARC Holdings IA Assets, PT Assets ARC Holdings IA Assets, PT Assets Auckland Regional Transport Authority Auckland Regional Transport Authority IA Transfund $ $ $ TA’s PT ops $ $

Strategic Road Network Current and Future

Road projects at April 2004 Project inception Construction finish Construction start Land acquisition/ RMA appeals Resource consents Designation Preferred option Option Assessment LTMA Review

Passenger Transport Passenger Transport Plan – adopted Sept 2003 Passenger transport patronage increased by 11% in year to June 2003 Operators may run any commercial services ARC (soon ARTA) contracts services City and District Councils supply infrastructure (bus stops, shelters, bus priorities etc) Most contracts let as groups of services on net cost basis

Urban transport patronage

Rapid Transit Network Based on corridors: North Shore Busway –5 busway stations –Link to other services Rail –Britomart hub –38 Stations –Increased service frequency Ferries

Bus Services Fleet of around 1,000 buses 1 major operator (Stagecoach) with 80% of the market 7 smaller family businesses operating other services New services to be contracted for North Shore and schools this year Bus priority initiatives

Auckland Rail – Current State Rolling Stock –Silverfern (leased) –ADKs (9) –ADLs (10 refurbished 2003) –SX train (refurbished 2003) –First SA train (May 2004) New Operator –Connex appointed March 2004 Services –Extended services and frequency –Reliability/availability of rolling stock

Rail Patronage

SA Train

Key Issues Fragile rail system (decades of underinvestment) Not able to meet latent passenger demand Constraints –Infrastructure –Rolling stock –Meeting customer expectations

Future State: Long Term Plan Key Findings Stage 1 –Core network upgrade –Electrification –Double tracking western line –New rolling stock –Maintain interim rolling stock ROC = $775m Patronage target 11 million by 2008/9 Boston Consulting Group Business Plan May 2003

Progress Project Boston –Stage 1 double tracking –$23.2 million –ARC role as Project Manager –Completion date – early 2005 Improved services to New Lynn Interim Rolling Stock –Remanufacturing SA trains – up to 10 trains Crown assisted project Increase seats by 70% –Refurbishing existing ADK fleet Cosmetic and mechanical engineering upgrade Extends life for additional 10 years

Progress Scheme Plan –Progress second stage of double tracking in 2005 Increase peak service frequency from Henderson –Concept design stage of overall network upgrade – integrated and staged approach New Rolling Stock –Consideration of process for procurement of new rolling stock (EMU’s) Operator takes over services July 2004

Ferries Carry 3 million passenger per year to 8 destinations ARTNL manages wharves Ferries need a subsidy unless there is a 2-way destination pull New sites under investigation but they are limited

Information for Public Transport Users Rideline –Phone centre – 1.4 million calls in 2003 –Website with journey planner and timetable information – 2000 visits per day –Mobile text messaging –Active online feedback forum Timetables and on-road information Electronic “when the bus arrives” Information – on-road and on-vehicle Britomart information and ticketing kiosk

MAXX Regional Transport Regional brand and theme developed by the ARC to show integration of public transport network Consistency and connection between information and infrastructure Represents fast, frequent and more reliable services Rollout as upgrades are completed

Sustainable Transport Walking school bus programme –Coordinated by ARC 52 schools 122 walking school buses 2000 children walking 750 fewer car trips School Travel Plans –25 schools engaged in school travel plans to reduce car trips and improve health and safety of children

Environmental Impacts of Transport Vehicle emissions – adverse health and environmental effects Fuel quality –poor diesel quality = smoky buses –ARC working with operators to reduce emissions Road building – coastal areas Stormwater quality – major area of concern

The Big Clean Up ARC framework for public education Encouraging people to act in environmentally friendly ways People encouraged to use cars less – promoting alternatives Way to Go! travel behaviour change pilot programme – partnership with Waitakere City and EECA Environmental Impacts of Transport

Resource Management Act Significant role as consent authority for major infrastructure projects in the region. Major roading and rail projects require a number of ARC resource consents –Earthworks –Structures such as bridges & culverts –Water diversion –Streamworks

Recent Consents Britomart Transport Centre Alpurt Section B2 – Orewa to Puhoi Upper Harbour Corridor – SH16 to Albany SH20 Mt Roskill extension North Shore Busway

RMA Process All attracted some opposition at various stages Eventually consents issued through agreed resolutions, appeals to the Environment Court or court decisions The key message is that the process was successful

Regional Policy Statement Problem Identified: Lack of integration under RMA between transport priorities and land use Inability to ensure new development occurs in areas where road and rail transport is being improved

Regional Policy Statement Local Government (Auckland) Ammendment Bill 2004 Recently introduced into parliament Will direct changes to Auckland Regional Policy Statement and district plans of TAs Aims Improve integration of transport priorities and land use policies Ensure consistency with RGS and RLTS

Transport Governance: Progress Establishment of ARTA –A recruitment agency is helping ARC with the selection process of ARTA board members –ARC has consulted with public and private sector organisations to prepare appointments and remuneration policies. –ARTA Board appointments panel to be announced on Thursday 29 April. –Panel includes 3 outside Directors appointed by ARC. –First meeting of the appointments panel - 3 May. –Interviews take place in June. –Board members announced early July.

Transport Governance: Progress Establishment of ARH –As for the establishment of ARTA Board. –Sub-committee created to manage Board appointments - 3 ARC Councillors and 2 external people. –First meeting of ARH Board Appointments Panel on 4 May –ARH Board expected to be publicly announced on 18 June 2004.

Auckland Governance – Key Milestones 1 July ARH operating 5 July ARTA Board appointed ARTA CEO appointed Staff transferred Nov ARC and ARTA begin negotiating 2005/06 LTCCP