Len Brown, the new mayor of Auckland, has plans to improve public transport in the Auckland. He wants a railway from the airport into the city, a rail loop through the central city and a railway over a new harbour bridge. The central city loop would probably be an underground railway. Mr Brown wants this to happen soon to meet the future needs of the city.
Auckland has 1.4m people at the moment but is growing fast. By 2030, it could have 2 m people and by 2050, 3 m people. Auckland has not spent enough money on public transport for years and Len Brown says this needs to change.
How will Auckland rate payers pay for this? Nobody wants rates increases. The Prime Minister, John Key, says that the government is already spending $5bn on Auckland which includes $1.6bn on rail. There is no more money. Len Brown thinks that people might invest in bonds. They would lend money to Auckland city and receive interest payments. Another possibility is a public private partnership. This means that the government and a private company would pay for railways together, maybe 50/50. The money from train fares would help to pay back the private company.
Len Brown will have to work quickly because elections are held every 3 years in New Zealand. This does not give much time for building new railways or a bridge. By 2013, he will have to show that these things have started.
Questions
1. Should all New Zealand tax payers help to pay for Auckland’s improved transport?
2. New Zealanders have a love affair with cars. Will they travel by train if they have a choice?
3. The motorway from the airport into Auckland city is nearly finished. Why does Auckland need a railway?
4. Do you think it is a good idea to have elections every 3 years? Is it the same in your country?