Auckland Transport

[verbatim9]

Check out the new fare gates they are installing in Auckland. I like the height of the gates, which makes them somewhat anti-jump proof.

I wonder if the new ones in Brisbane will be similar?

[verbatim9]

Puhinui Station interchange--->https://youtu.be/jSeQIR7gzZM

[verbatim9]

[City Designer]

MRCagney have recently completed a report on Equity in Auckland's transport system.

https://www.transport.govt.nz/area-of-interest/auckland/equity-in-aucklands-transport-system/

The report looks at vulnerable groups and the impact of transport inequality on them.

[verbatim9]

NZ Herald---> Auckland gets a new rail operator to run 4000 weekly train trips

Auckland will have a new passenger rail operator from next year after the current operator, Transdev, failed to win a new tender.

Following an international tender to run the city's rail services, worth about $130 million a year, Auckland Transport has today awarded an eight-year contract to Auckland One Rail - a joint venture comprising ComfortDelGro Transit Pte Ltd (CDGT) and UGL Rail Pty Ltd (UGL Rail).

[verbatim9]

^^Interesting blurb on UGL in the article as well.

[verbatim9]

NZ Government releases plans for a 15 billion NZD LRT project for Auckland.

NZ Herald---->  Auckland transport: Government unveils latest plan for light rail costing $15b

The Government's flagship light rail project in Auckland looks set to cost at least $15 billion, with a good chance the price tag will rise.

Transport Minister Michael Wood has unveiled three shortlisted options for the 22km light rail route from the central city to the airport with indicative costs of between $9b and $16.3b.

[SurfRail]

That is insanely expensive for street-running, even with all the stuff south of Onehunga taken into account.

[#Metro]

It involves tunneled Class A ROW, which is fundamentally expensive, no matter what vehicle runs through the tunnels.

[AJ Transport]

This is far too expensive for light rail. The huge tunneling expense would be better justified for heavy rail, the future maximum capacity would be much greater and would be more useful for extending into Auckland's very stretched out urban form.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrazyIdeasNZ/status/1618836475621306368

[verbatim9]

All go for LRT in Auckland.

[SurfRail]

^ This is one I'm not so sanguine about, mostly because it seems to have morphed into a subway in places.  The cost is pretty eye-watering.

I'm inclined to think they should be focusing on north of the harbour first for rail.

[verbatim9]

Auckland's new proposed mass transit network --- https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2023/08/30/the-auckland-rapid-transit-plan/

[#Metro]

Auckland LRT is officially cancelled. Priced out of existence.

14 JANUARY 2024
Government cancels Auckland Light Rail
Simeon Brown portrait
HON SIMEON BROWN

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-cancels-auckland-light-rail

Transport
The coalition Government continues to deliver on its 100-day plan with the decision to cancel the Auckland Light Rail project.

"Auckland Light Rail would have cost taxpayers $15 billion, with advice showing the cost could increase to $29.2 billion," Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

"The previous government committed to building light rail to Mt Roskill within four years of being elected. After six years and over $228 million spent on the project, not a single metre of track has been delivered and congestion has only worsened in the city.

"Scrapping the expensive project is part of the coalition agreements and we have taken swift action. Auckland Light Rail Limited has been instructed to immediately cease work on the project, and to take the necessary steps to wind up the company.

"The Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that will reduce congestion, boost productivity, and create a more reliable and resilient transport network that drives economic growth.

"Our focus is on building a rapid transit network in Auckland, including completion of the City Rail Link, which was started by the last National Government, and starting work on a Northwest Rapid Transit corridor, alongside other projects to deliver reduced congestion for Aucklanders.

"Work is underway on rewriting the Government Policy Statement on land transport which will reflect these priorities.

"The Government's decision to scrap Auckland Light Rail means that we can stop work on a project which has not delivered and get on with delivering the critical transport infrastructure that Auckland needs."

[#Metro]

Light Rail officially dies
Matt L | January 15, 2024 | 132 Comments
https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2024/01/15/light-rail-officially-dies/

The planning cost alone is enormous, some comments:

miffy says:
January 15, 2024 at 8:16 am
$228 million? I can hear the gravy train pulling out of the station. "Toot toot".

Ari says:
January 15, 2024 at 9:08 am
I just can't understand how the hell it cost that much to do nothing. I'm definitely working in the wrong sector.

[timh]

It was a stupid plan anyway. An entirely tunneled light rail line that ran along existing road right of ways. No wonder they deemed it too expensive.

[verbatim9]

Late buses to get priority at Auckland intersections

Technology that allows late buses to get priority at traffic lights is be rolled out to more Auckland intersections.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/humantransit/status/1759677193528152171?s=20

[verbatim9]

[verbatim9]

NZ Herald ---> https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/50-weekly-fare-cap-for-most-public-transport-in-auckland-begins-on-sunday/KOQPBZM4VZCQLF5WAWZM2USOVU/

^^New fare cap across any 7 days