Subscribe to RSSSteven: Thanks Len
The Transport Minister today thanked Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Auckland Council for what he called their constructive engagement on the issue of funding for the Auckland electric trains.
“It is very important to note that these rail upgrades are all being completed without recourse to the 10c a litre regional fuel tax planned for Auckland by the tax-hungry previous Labour Government,” he told Parliament this afternoon, answering a question from National MP Niikki Kaye.
Nationall's top men inspect Kingsland railway station
Here was the Q and A:
Nikki Kaye (National—Auckland Central) to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made on improving Auckland’s commuter rail network?
Minister of Transport: It has made good progress. Last Thursday the Government and Auckland Council agreed to a funding and ownership arrangement that will dramatically increase the number of electric trains able to be purchased. The deal, which includes an additional grant of up to $90 million from the Crown, means that 57 three-car trains will be able to be purchased, which is 50 percent more than the 38 trains planned for previously by the Auckland Regional Council. This means that the entire fleet of trains on the three lines in Auckland will be electric. Having an all-electric fleet will result in significant operational savings, helping to reduce the previously identified operational deficit. A contract for the purchase of the new trains will be signed at the end of this month, with the new trains arriving progressively from 2013.
Nikki Kaye: What are the advantages to Aucklanders from this deal?
Steven Joyce:: There are many. Aucklanders will have a brand new electric train fleet on all three lines, thanks to the Government making an additional grant of up to $90 million to ensure Auckland transport can take advantage of the current favourable purchase conditions. Commuter rail is an increasingly important way for Aucklanders to get to work, and this package will complete a massive $1.6 billion Government-funded upgrade of Auckland’s network. It is very important to note that these rail upgrades are all being completed without recourse to the 10c a litre regional fuel tax planned for Auckland by the tax-hungry previous Labour Government. I would like to thank the mayor and his council for their constructive engagement on this issue.
Phil Twyford (Lab): Can he point to one major initiative for Auckland rail that was not planned for, and committed to, by the last Labour Government?
Steven Joyce: Well, actually, if the member had been paying attention, he would realise the half-billion-dollar electrification was to be paid for by the 10c a litre regional fuel tax, as was the $500 million investment in trains. This Government has done it much more cost-effectively, and done it without a 10c a litre regional fuel tax for Auckland.
Phil Twyford: Will he confirm that the following achievements were all planned for, and committed to, by the last Labour Government: the upgrade and extension of the existing metropolitan rail network, the electrification of the rail network, the purchase of the new passenger rolling stock, the investment in new and upgraded rail stations in Newmarket, New Lynn, and Grafton, the reopening of the Onehunga branch line, and the building of the Manukau rail line?
Steven Joyce: The answer to that question from the member is, on the first one, yes. The second, third, and fourth projects were all unfunded by the previous Government, unless one counts the regional fuel tax, and the answer in relation to the fifth and sixth projects is no on both occasions.
8 Comments
And they suggest this muppet will me the next PM.
I’d be on the first plane out if that happened
So National Party, and Steven Joyce claim they were behind the resurection of the Onehunga and planning and conceiving the Manukau rail line?
Even pro-Joyce supporters like Geoff will have to agree this is a complete lie. The Nats weren´t even in power when the Onehunga line got the big tick after a long campaign by Mike Lee and the Campaign For Better Transport.
Steven Joyce, resorting to lying for shameless self promotion is really a pretty bad look.
Jon R,
Please cut the petty bollocks - both in here & in the truck crash post. I see you still have not learnt …
I still do not know what is so bad about a regional fuel tax. Tax is tax and its gotta come from somewhere
“Even pro-Joyce supporters like Geoff will have to agree this is a complete lie”
Why are you bringing me into this thread, when I hadn’t posted? And why do you say I support Joyce, when I’ve never said any such thing, and when I’ve written countless times about all the things I disagree with from the current government? You mention lies by writing your own lies.
Are you just naturally arrogant, or is there something wrong with you?
all three lines? I think they need to re write that as 2.5 lines, its not coming to puke so don’t claim “all” three lines are serviced.
thanks kents.
Carl wrote: “all three lines? I think they need to re write that as 2.5 lines, its not coming to puke so don’t claim “all” three lines are serviced”
It ain’t going to Waitakere either, so maybe 2.25 lines?
Jon Reeves wrote: “So Geoff admits that an accident like this would be significantly worse if it involves a new MEGA TRUCK then?”
Why do you say admit? I never said otherwise, so what’s to “admit”?
Jon Reeves wrote: “This is a terrible accident, but at the sametime shows to many the massive impact larger MEGA TRUCKS will have when involved in accidents, no matter who is to blame.”
Indeed, but not relevant to this accident, as you initially claimed.
Jon Reeves wrote: “We can only criticize Steven Joyce and his National Party for pushing MEGA TRUCKS through and onto our roads without full consideration of their true dangers.”
Aside from the fact that Labour was going to introduce them anyway, again I’ll point out that your comments are irrelevant to the accident that happened.
Stop trying to capitalize on hurt children to push your political agenda, it’s disgraceful.