A transport corridor previously designated for Auckland’s light rail project has been identified as a “nationally significant problem” by the Government’s infrastructure commission, nearly two years after the coalition government cancelled the project.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop stated a public transport corridor connecting the CBD to Māngere and the airport is “a problem worth solving.”
Infrastructure Commission Endorses Mass Rapid Transit Corridor
The Infrastructure Commission endorsed a proposal for “mass rapid transit” in the corridor as part of the first stage of its project prioritization list, included in its 30-year infrastructure plan released last week. This signifies recognition of the area as requiring infrastructure improvements.
Transport advocate Connor Sharp compiled a decade’s worth of business case work to submit to the commission, aiming to revive the idea of a more affordable surface light rail system through Auckland.
“There’s a problem there, and nobody’s working on this — nobody’s directly working on a solution to this, and that is an issue in itself,” Sharp said following the report’s release. “They endorsed this from an individual. They said there’s a nationally significant problem here, but there’s no work being done on a solution.”
Sharp’s proposal initially focused on surface light rail from the CBD to Mt Roskill along Dominion Rd, with a potential second stage extending to Māngere and the airport.
An endorsement at stage one from the Infrastructure Commission indicates officials recognize an infrastructure problem exists and is worth addressing, but does not endorse any specific solution.
The proposal originated from an unaffiliated individual, not from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, or any government agency, according to a commission spokesperson.
Investment general manager Andy Hagan said the proposal presented “a strong case” for addressing a problem in the corridor. However, he added that further analysis is needed to determine the most cost-effective solution.
The commission’s assessment highlighted issues in the city centre to Māngere corridor, forecasting that bus lines, including those via Symonds St and Karangahape Rd, will exceed 150% of capacity by 2048 without intervention.
Shift to Metro System Considered
Newly released documents revealed that prior to the project’s cancellation, transport officials had been planning for an underground and elevated metro system, similar to those in Sydney and Copenhagen, potentially operating without drivers.
This plan differed from the “tunnelled light rail” option presented during public consultation, which involved underground and surface sections with trams running at street level in areas like Māngere.
Surface light rail is designed to service an entire corridor with frequent stops and integration with surrounding suburbs, while a metro system would be fully grade-separated, running entirely in tunnels or on elevated tracks.
The final internal budget estimates for the project reached between $16 billion and $18 billion, according to documents from the Ministry of Transport.
Bishop Focuses on Affordability
Bishop stated the city centre to Māngere corridor is not currently a priority in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, but acknowledged Auckland’s 30-year transport plan as the appropriate venue for considering existing problems.
“The city centre to Māngere mass rapid transit corridor is a nationally significant infrastructure problem, and represents an opportunity for Auckland to reduce congestion, lift productivity, drive more development, and grow,” he said. “This is supported by the Infrastructure Commission endorsing the corridor at stage one of its infrastructure priorities programme.”
He added, “In this case, the commission was uncertain that the city centre to Māngere proposal, as written, would deliver value for money. We have been here before with Labour’s failed $30 billion Auckland light rail monstrosity – that was simply not affordable and hence why the Government cancelled it.”
Bishop did not specify whether he saw a distinction between Labour’s metro-style project and the more modest surface light rail option, or whether the government would support further work on the corridor.
Sharp suggested the project’s best path forward now lies with Auckland’s local politicians and council, with Mayor Wayne Brown previously expressing support for a more affordable light rail option.
Businesses along Dominion Rd have previously voiced frustration over the lack of progress on public transport for the street.
The Infrastructure Commission’s endorsement places the corridor on a national priorities list, but its future remains uncertain without a designated agency or government funding.
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