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Resolution
number WTK/2024/173
MOVED by
Chairperson G Presland, seconded by Member M Allen:
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:
a)
whakarite / provide the
following feedback and insights on issues related to Time of Use Charging
policy development, based on discussions held at local board workshops during
August / September 2024:
Current
impacts of congestion in the Waitākere Ranges
i)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that local residential streets are being used as rat
runs due to congested routes
ii)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note safety concerns for local residents living on urban
streets being used as rat runs
iii)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that congestion can cause longer and/or
unpredictable journey times
iv)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the impact of the City Rail Link activation on
western line level crossings and consequent additional congestion impacts
v)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the disproportionate impacts of congestion charging
on parents/caregivers taking children to and from school or to after school
activities, residents who commute to and from their local area for work
during peak times and people for whom public transport or alternative modes
are not currently a realistic option due to a lack of public transport
availability or inconvenient and/or indirect public transport routes
Feedback
on core principals underpinning the Time of Use Charging policy proposal
Effective:
improve network performance
vi)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note its concerns with the effectiveness of the scheme if
it is introduced in the form of congestion charging only on specific highly
congested corridors (motorways and arterial roads), as this will only
transfer motorway congestion onto the city’s surrounding streets
vii)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that improvements to the transport network and a
reduction in traffic congestion is often not a direct result of continuous
investment into new road infrastructure because of the effect of induced
demand
viii)
do not support use of Time of
Use Charging revenue being used to construct more roads and motorways
ix)
tautoko / support prioritising
the greening of Auckland’s car fleet before introducing road user
charges, such as congestion charges
x)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that effectively addressing congestion requires
aligning the Time of Use Charging scheme with significant improvements to
public transport
Fair: minimise and mitigate adverse
social impacts and ensure benefits and costs are fairly distributed across
users
xi)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note its concerns around economic equity in a user pays
approach, as it is likely to disproportionately benefit wealthier drivers who
will find charges less of a burden and will have a lesser effect on inner
city residents as well as a disproportionately greater effect on residents of
the South and the West
xii)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that the proposed road user charge system has less
impact on those with a single destination journey
xiii)
tono / request that
consideration be given to charging commuters travelling at both peak times
rather than one. This would reduce the burden on people who work shifts and
at times not served by public transport
xiv)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that West Auckland residents commuting from outlying
suburbs may be disproportionately affected by this scheme due to a lack of
viable alternative transport options such as public transport and cycleways
xv)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that in addressing congestion, consideration must
also be given to a plan to reduce school traffic, including the provision of
safe ways for children to walk and cycle
xvi)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note its concerns around the disproportionate impact on
vulnerable residents and people for whom public transport or alternative
modes are not currently a realistic option, such as people with disabilities,
parents and caregivers taking children to and from school or to after-school
activities, and people and businesses moving goods and services at peak
travel times
xvii) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that public transport fares need to be affordable to
ensure it is an affordable alternative to the use of private vehicles,
especially for vulnerable communities
Simple: be understandable and avoid
complexity and Feasible: is able to be implemented
xviii) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that in giving this feedback the board has not yet
been provided access to the social impact assessment for consideration
xix)
tono / request a cost-benefit
analysis of the proposed scheme incorporating an analysis of the social
impacts of a time of use charging scheme be provided
xx)
tono / request further
clarification as to how the scheme may be implemented
xxi)
tautoko / support Auckland
Council retaining governance over the pricing policy of any proposed Time of
Use Charging scheme
Other measures that should be taken into
consideration as part of the development of a Time of Use Charging scheme
xxii) tono / request clarification regarding next steps if most
commuters choose to pay the charge and congestion remains the same
xxiii) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that effectively addressing congestion requires a
fully integrated transport system, with public transport, ride-share, walking
and cycling all working together, supported by safe, accessible, connected,
well-designed and maintained infrastructure, including feeder buses,
cycleways, better street lighting for pedestrians, park-and-rides, and smart
technology such as dynamic lanes and bus priority at traffic lights
xxiv) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that it is unclear as to whether number of people in
a vehicle will be taken into consideration as part of the scheme’s
pricing policy
xxv)
tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that further information on how the revenue raised
from Time of Use Charging will be distributed is required
xxvi) tautoko / support revenue raised from Time of Use
Charging being invested in public transport, as well as walking and cycling
infrastructure
xxvii) tautoko / support revenue raised from Time of use
Charging through West Auckland residents and road users being reinvested in
West Auckland.
CARRIED
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