ARTA Annual Report 2009 - Auckland Transport

Case study: Auckland Airport Travel Plan lifts off
Auckland Airport’s innovative travel plan, called Lift,
promotes carpooling, public transport and other alternatives
to private cars to over 12,000 staff working at 23 companies at
the airport.
Begun in 2006 with just six airport-based employers, Lift’s smart
programmes and fun events have attracted awards as well as new
members. Lift won the Transport category of the Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Authority Awards 2009, sponsored by Shell New
Zealand. Lift was one of three finalists and was judged the winner as
Martin Fryer, Sustainability Advisor,
Auckland Airport.
it was seen to not only influence changes in travel behaviour but could also be a great template for other
cross-industry locations.
The awards are well deserved. Over 65,000 vehicles travel to and from the airport each day. Within just two
years the plan has taken more than 28 of those cars off the road each day, reducing CO 2
emissions by at least
68 tonnes per year.
One Lift travel hero is Paul Divers, who bought a Vespa scooter and can reliably plan on getting to and
from his home in Titirangi to work in 40 minutes. He’s also enjoying parking closer to work than his
car-driving colleagues and, when the weather’s good, he regularly cycles, making use of recently improved
bike storage facilities.
There are 670 registered carpoolers using ARTA-supplied, carpooling software on the airport’s website
to coordinate sharing rides to work. Lift has become embedded in the culture of working at the airport.
The travel plan is an integral part of its sustainability plan to improve access, reduce the effects of climate
change and use fuel and energy more efficiently.
“The demand for travel between the airport and the city is expected to almost double by 2015, with a
sharp spike during events like the Rugby World Cup,” says the airport’s Sustainability Advisor, Martin Fryer.
“By encouraging staff to think differently about getting to work, and providing practical alternatives, we’re
planning ahead to reduce that pressure for staff and passengers alike, and for the country’s gateway to be
a leading example of social responsibility.”
RESULT: Auckland Airport’s travel plan has taken at least 28 cars off the road each day,
reducing annual CO 2 emissions by more than 68 tonnes.
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