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Auckland Airport light rail 'biggest mistake NZ could make'

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Fri, 11 Aug 2017, 5:11AM
(Photo \ NZ Herald)
(Photo \ NZ Herald)

Auckland Airport light rail 'biggest mistake NZ could make'

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Fri, 11 Aug 2017, 5:11AM

An airport rail advocate says building light rail to Auckland Airport will be one of the biggest transport mistakes the country ever makes.

Auckland Transport officials will appear before Mangere Otahuhu Local Board next week, to once again rule out any conventional rail line from Auckland CBD to the airport.

National, Labour and the Greens are all going into next month's election supporting light rail line instead.

The light rail option is supported by Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, and mayor Phil Goff says the decision has already been made.

But Auckland councillor Mike Lee said while light rail would suit central commuters, the longer airport journey is best done on heavy rail.

He said political parties and decision-makers are mixing up their modes of transport, and failing to consult international experts and the travelling public.

He wants political parties to reconsider heavy rail to Auckland Airport, for the sake of the country as a whole.

Lee said political parties and bureaucrats are out of touch with what the public want and what has worked best overseas.

He said capacity on the heavy rail network could be freed up by building light rail for central suburbs.

 

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