4 November 2021
Dear Minister of Transport, the Honorable Michael Wood
We, the undersigned, write to you highlighting our concerns regarding insufficient investment in public transport in the regions and our wishes for Budget 2022.
As representatives of the provincial heart of Aotearoa New Zealand, we want to be part of a better future where we have user-friendly, affordable and convenient public transport so we stay connected without costing the earth. The Emissions Reduction Plan discussion document highlights the concerns many of us hold about the impact of climate change on our planet and the place of mode shift in transport as key to significantly reducing emissions.
New Zealanders in smaller cities and towns need more bus services so we can get out of our cars while maintaining independence and connections to others. We also need massive improvements in rail and protected cycleways, and other non-transport solutions for climate change too, but improving our buses right now is fundamental as we face being left behind our largest cities.
While regional councils are responsible for public transport, we need your support as Minister of Transport to increase the National Land Transport Fund allocation for public transport. Even though the Government Policy Statement says direction has changed, the majority of investment is still in other priorities. Increasing investment in public transport is a tangible way to meet the carbon reduction targets we need to hit.
We seek low fares for all and an expansion of free transport for community services and gold card holders, students and apprentices. We want increased route frequency and hours of operation so it is easier for people to choose the bus without having to coordinate a timetable with long wait times, services that stop at 6pm or that don't operate on weekends. We want the option to take buses, both within and between our provincial towns and rural communities, and to connect to our large cities. In the past, many of our towns had rail services to fulfil these roles. They should again. But where that is not possible in the short term, we need convenient and affordable bus services as soon as possible.
We can't do it alone ā councils can't afford to fund public transport expansion in these difficult Covid times plus it is slow, difficult and frustrating to make changes working only within current limitations. Waka Kotahi has significant project budgets for highways or funds tied up in land holdings while we need relatively small amounts of new operational funds to make public transport more attractive to people living in the regions. We ask for your help in Budget 2022.
We need the Government to set an ambitious public transport vision so all our communities have workable services, and most importantly because action on climate change is needed now and our reliance on private vehicles increases emissions significantly.
There are other challenges we recognise, including fair pay and conditions for drivers, more electric buses, increased rail capacity,and trials of innovative on-demand services*,* which will help underpin the future we need to thrive. But right now we are asking for an immediate and significant injection of new funds in Budget 2022 to get more people onto buses in the regions.
There is no silver bullet for climate but more funding for increased bus route frequency, coverage and reduced fares will make a substantial difference to our carbon footprint at a time we most need it ā right now.
Thank you for your consideration of this urgent and critical issue.
Nicola Patrick
On behalf of the following signatories, in their capacity as individuals
Copy to: Minister for Climate Change James Shaw; Chief Executive of Waka Kotahi Nicole Rosie
Northland
- Northland Regional Council:
- Cr Jack Craw
Auckland
- WaitematÄ Local Board - Julie Sandilands
- Albert-Eden Local Board - Julia Maskill
- Upper Harbour Local Board - Nicholas Mayne; Anna Atkinson
- Whau Local Board - Jessica Rose
- Waitakere Ranges Local Board - Saffron Toms
- Maungakiekie TÄmaki Local Board - Peter McGlashan
Waikato
Waikato Regional Council:
- Cr Denis Tegg
- Cr Jennifer Nickel
- Cr Angela Strange
Hamilton City Council:
- Mayor Paula Southgate
- Cr Sarah Thomson
Bay of Plenty
- WhakatÄne District Council:
- Cr NƔndor TƔnczos
- Mayor Judy Turner
- Cr Victor Luca
- Whakatane-Ohope Community Board - Carolyn Hamill, Jennifer Manning
Hawkes Bay
- Hawkes Bay Regional Council:
- Cr Hinewai Ormsby
- Cr Martin Williams
Taranaki
Taranaki Regional Council:
Cr Charlotte Littlewood
Cr Elvisa Van Der Leden
Cr Michael Joyce
New Plymouth District Council:
- Cr Amanda Clinton-Gohdes
- Cr Richard Handley
- Mayor Neil Holdom
South Taranaki District Council:
- Mayor Phil Nixon
Manawatū-Whanganui
Horizons Regional Council:
- Chair Rachel Keedwell
- Cr Sam Ferguson
- Cr Nicola Patrick
- Cr Emma Clarke
- Cr Allan Benbow
- Cr Fiona Gordon
Whanganui District Council:
- Passenger transport rep Anthonie Tonnon
- Cr James Barron
- Mayor Hamish McDouall
Wanganui Grey Power Association president Ross Fallen
Palmerston North City Council:
- Cr Brent Barrett
- Cr Renee Dingwall
Rangitikei District Council:
- Mayor Andy Watson
- Cr Angus Gordon
Tararua District Council:
- Mayor Tracey Collis
- Deputy Mayor Erana Peeti-Weber
- Cr Carole Isaacson
- Cr Kerry Sutherland
- Cr Sharon Wards
- Cr Alison Franklin
- Cr Peter Johns
- Cr Shirley Hull
- Cr Raylene Treder
Wellington
Wellington Regional Council:
- Cr Thomas Nash
Wellington City Council:
- Deputy Mayor Sarah Free
- Cr Laurie Foon
- Cr Iona Pannett
Masterton District Council:
- Cr Chris Peterson
Kapiti Coast District Council:
- Cr Gwynn Compton
Nelson
Nelson City Council:
- Cr Rachel Sanson
- Cr Matt Lawrey
- Cr Kate Fulton
- Cr Rohan O'Neill-Stevens
Tasman District Council:
- Cr Dana Wensley
Canterbury
Canterbury Regional Council:
- Cr Vicky Southworth
- Cr Lan Pham
Selwyn District Council:
- Cr Sophie McInnes
Christchurch City Council:
- Cr Sara Templeton
- Cr Mike Davidson
- Cr Celeste Donovan
- Mayor Lianne Dalziel
Timaru District Council:
- Mayor Nigel Bowen
- Cr Sally Parker
Lincoln University Students' Association, president Gregory Fleming
University of Canterbury Students' Association, tumuaki/president Kim Fowler
West Coast
Inangahua Community Board - Cory Aitken
Grey District Council:
- Mayor Tania Gibson
Buller District Council:
- Cr Joanne Howard
Otago
Otago Regional Council:
- Cr Alexa Forbes
Queenstown Lakes District Council:
- Cr Esther Whitehead
- Cr Niki Gladding
Southland
- Bluff Community Board - Noel Peterson
National organisations:
- Grey Power New Zealand Federation Inc Vice President Peter Matcham
