March 04, 2015
Maori views stuck in traffic
Auckland Mayor Len Brown wants Maori to get out to consultative hui on the 10-year plan so they can give their views on ideas to fix the city’s transport problems.
Mr Brown says Maori already pay a high price in terms of long commutes because there is not enough public transport.
He says meetings in places with high Maori populations like Otara and Papatoetoe have indicated support for motorway network charges.
Alternatives include a ring-fenced rate increase or a regional petrol tax to raise the $300 million a year needed.
"We either continue to do pretty basic transport stuff, some of which is good: the electric trains out there, our people have really taken to that, and we are getting somethign like 20 percent growth in rail patronage every year, we build it, people use it. What I am saying is if we were to put some more clear funding into transport it's good investment and good options for people rather than just sitting in gridlocked traffic on the southern motorway or the norhwestern motorway or the northern busway," Mr Brown says.
There are hui next week at Manurewa Marae and Hoani Waititi Marae in New Lynn.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH LEN BROWN CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjY3OTE=
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