10. Question No. 10—TransportSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcement has he made about investment in Auckland transport?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): On Friday myself and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff announced the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) 2021-2031 package which invests $31 billion into critical transport infrastructure and services across Auckland. For the first time ever we're turning around the average transport emissions of Aucklanders. The ATAP 2021-2031 package alone will result in a 13 percent decrease in the emissions per capita of Aucklanders using the transport system when compared to the previous package and it's projected to increase public transport trips by 91 percent over the forecast period. There is of course much more to do to decarbonise our transport system. Importantly ATAP is also projected to reduce the Auckland road toll by 65 percent by 2031 or around 1700 fewer deaths and serious injuries over the decade.Shanan Halbert: What projects does the package include?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: There are a number of projects already under way which are helping with our economic recovery and which will reduce congestion like the Glen Inness to Tāmaki Drive shared path the third main rail line upgrades to State Highway 20B and the Northern Busway extension. It's important to note that Auckland is paying its fair share with the regional fuel tax which has meant that projects in ATAP like the Eastern Busway Puhinui Station and the downtown ferry terminal redevelopment could get under way. I'm also looking forward to seeing work start on the north-west bus improvements and the City Rail Link (CRL) day one improvements like removing level crossings and new trains to make sure that we get the full benefits of the CRL as soon as it's finished.Shanan Halbert: What ATAP initiatives will help those on lower incomes get around?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I was extremely pleased on Friday to be able to announce the Community Connect concession card pilot which will reduce public transport fares by 50 percent for holders of a community service card in Auckland. This will mean around 2.7 million more public transport trips around Auckland in its first year reducing congestion reducing emissions and reducing transport poverty in our biggest city. Officials have advised that this project will be ready to roll out around about mid-2022 and I'll be working hard to see it implemented as quickly as possible and depending on its success to consider rolling it out further across the country.Hon Julie Anne Genter: Is he concerned that the ATAP package is forecast to increase total carbon emissions from transport through to 2031 when we need to substantially reduce total carbon emissions in order to meet our climate obligations?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I agree with the member on the overriding importance of meeting the targets set by the independent climate commission to reduce our emissions over that period. As I've identified the interventions and infrastructure made by ATAP lead to a 13 percent decrease per capita in Auckland. Auckland's sustained significant population growth does mean that we face that prospect as outlined by the member. That's why it's important that we don't look at ATAP alone; we look at the other interventions and policies that we can roll out to reduce emissions. I note that the Government has already this year committed to a clean car standard to make new cars coming into our fleet 40 percent cleaner than they are now the decarbonisation of public buses and the roll-out of a biofuels mandate. These measures taken together with the measures in ATAP would get Auckland to the point of a gross emissions reduction but we acknowledge that there is much more to do and I'll be working on that with officials over the remainder of this year as we produce a transport emissions action plan in response to the independent climate commission's recommendations.Hon Julie Anne Genter: What additional steps will he take to update ATAP in the future to ensure that that $31 billion of investment is doing the maximum it can to reduce total overall carbon emissions over the next decade?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I'll be working closely with Auckland Council to make sure that we move towards our shared ambitions to be decarbonising the transport system and I think the direction of travel is clear. It's about providing Aucklanders and indeed people around New Zealand with real transport choices so that people have got the opportunity to access high-quality frequent public transport and mass transit and safe appropriate walking and cycling options. I'll be continuing to work with my officials and local government partners to see those opportunities are given to New Zealanders to help us reduce our emissions.