11. Transport Minister—StatementsJULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of TransportTransport Minister—Statements11. JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement that the Government is sceptical about light rail" now that both Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency have confirmed rail will go to the North Shore?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): The premise of the member's question is flawed. I have been assured today by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) that all public transport options to the North Shore remain on the table including increased bus capacity and that no decisions in this regard have been made. Julie Anne Genter: Can he confirm that buses will face overcrowding and delays at chokepoints along the Northern Busway before 2026?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No. What is very clear is that there is really serious potential for additional capacity through buses. They have got great potential for Auckland and that is why the Government is investing unprecedented amounts in the kind of projects like the Northern Corridor the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative and many others to deliver on that potential. Julie Anne Genter: I seek leave to table the North Shore Rapid Transit Network Strategic Case study obtained under the Official Information Act. It shows that by 2026 buses will be over capacity and experiencing delays at Albany Sunnynook and—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The documents have been described. I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular information obtained under the Official Information Act. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is not. It can be tabled.Julie Anne Genter: Will he commit to starting whichever rail option is identified as best by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport in time for it to be ready by 2026 when the busway will be reaching capacity? Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No because the Government is seriously committed to Auckland and to dealing with its transport issues including the public transport picture. That is why we are investing very seriously. But the Government believes based on the advice that we receive that there is plenty more potential to increase the capacity of buses to move many more Aucklanders in and around that great city. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! We will just have the supplementary question. Julie Anne Genter: Will his Government learn from its mistake with the City Rail Link (CRL) where it delayed the start date because it massively underestimated the number of people who are using the trains in Auckland? Hon SIMON BRIDGES: There has been no mistake. There were criteria set and when thresholds were met we have come in and backed that project. It would not—it could not—be happening without the Government's leadership in this area.Julie Anne Genter: I seek leave to table this graph of Auckland rail trips verses the City Rail Link target set by the Government showing it is going to be hit—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I am not even putting the leave. I was asking the member a question and she continued to talk over me. She is lucky to get another supplementary question. Does the member want to continue with questioning? Julie Anne Genter: I seek leave to table another graph that was received from—Mr SPEAKER: I just need the—[Interruption] Order! I just need the source of the graph. Julie Anne Genter: It was received under the Official Information Act from Auckland Transport and the NZTA.Mr SPEAKER: Is it available publicly? Julie Anne Genter: No it is not. Mr SPEAKER: On that basis I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular graph. Is there any objection? There is objection.Julie Anne Genter: Is the National Government going to continue blocking progress on the North Shore rail just like it did with the City Rail Link when all the evidence all the experts and the vast majority of Aucklanders have told the Government it needs to start sooner to deal with population growth in Auckland? Hon SIMON BRIDGES: On the contrary can I assure the member we are making great progress. We are investing like never before in the history of Auckland in its transport projects. There are a number of truly significant ones that have been started including the East West Connections including the CRL including—as I said—the Northern Corridor and of course the Waterview project will be a game-changer when that opens to the public and the people of Auckland in April of this year."