Headline: Greens welcome Auckland’s smart transport future
“The electric trains will be cleaner, quieter, faster and be able to move more Aucklanders across the city – taking pressure off the roads.”
The Green Party welcomed the unwrapping of Auckland’s first electric train today, saying it heralded a new era of decent public transport for the city.
Jeanette Fitzsimons and the Green Party were instrumental in securing from the Clark/Cullen Government the funds for the electrification of the Auckland rail network in 2007.
“The electrification of the Auckland rail network is one of the Green Party’s biggest wins to date,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.
“We’ve campaigned hard for the electrification of Auckland’s rail network for many years.
“The electric trains will be cleaner, quieter, faster and be able to move more Aucklanders across the city – taking pressure off the roads.
“The City Rail Link is the next essential step in creating a smart, green transport network that works for all Aucklanders.
“We’re now calling on the National Government to prioritise the City Rail Link and start construction in 2015 – not 2021 – so we can realise the benefits sooner.”
The Green Party would fund 60 percent of the City Rail Link from the National Land Transport Budget and begin construction of this cornerstone Auckland transport project in 2015. Official figures show it will produce greater benefits than any of the other projects in the Auckland transport plan.
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