Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

The combined costs of „Operation Lifesaver‟ and our contribution to the Auckland Rail Loop
comes to $1.6 billion, slightly less than National has already budgeted for the „Holiday
Highway‟.
Hamilton - Auckland commuter train
Labour supports the effort of the working group on establishing a Hamilton-to-Auckland
commuter rail service. There is considerable public support for this service.
Labour will engage with the working group on what support is needed from central
government to make this rail service a reality.
Working across all modes of transport
Labour is committed to maintaining and developing an effective rail system to serve the
public and the economy.
Labour will ensure that the public and our export-based economy have access to an
efficient and reliable rail and coastal shipping system.
The rail system should not be limited to the main trunk line and the Interislander ferry. Just
as coastal shipping will play an enhanced role, so too will rail in our critical regions. These
regions may well lack the population to justify an expensive motorway, so shifting a sizeable
percentage of future freight growth to rail and shipping as opposed to road is the logical
solution.
Sustainable transport
In considering the integration of modes the challenges of climate change and the rising price
of carbon are international realities that must always be taken into account.
New Zealand needs to become much less heavily dependent on fossil-fuelled cars and
trucks for transport of people and products. Transport emissions make up 19% of New
Zealand‟s overall greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport accounting for 90% of
these. We must greatly reduce these emissions.
The foundations for a sustainable transport network were laid by the last Labour government
with a 15-fold increase in public transport spending, electrifying Auckland rail, buying back
KiwiRail, and legislating for sustainable biofuels.
Labour will continue to promote public transport, cycling, walking, rail and biofuels, as well as
coastal shipping and electric vehicles. This will ultimately lead to decreased greenhouse gas
emissions.
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