10. Question No. 10—TransportCHRISTOPHER LUXON (National—Botany) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (National—Botany) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Yes in particular that our Government is continuing to take action to tackle transport emissions to meet our 2050 carbon-neutral target when I announced the extension of the road-user charge exemption for light electric vehicles this week.Christopher Luxon: What is his response to Auckland mayor Phil Goff who said the Eastern Busway two-year delay was an unpleasant surprise to most of us on the council and we're not at the end of the story yet."?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I agree with Mayor Goff. It was a surprise to a number of us when Auckland Transport made that comment. It's important to note that the only reason that the Eastern Busway is proceeding is because this Government committed to the regional fuel tax which is enabling that project to be delivered—something that that side of the House voted against. So if Mr Luxon is now saying that he wants that project to proceed more quickly I welcome the National Party's commitment to the regional fuel tax.Christopher Luxon: Is it a priority of this Government for the New Zealand Transport Agency to enable councils to complete critical projects like the Eastern Busway and if so why is the busway being delayed by a further two years?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: It is an absolute priority and in the case of that particular project I think I agree with the member that actually delivering high quality public transport services to the east of Auckland is a major priority. It's been neglected for many many years. It is only this Government which has put that project actually into the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) plan and put funding in place. I've asked Waka Kotahi officials to work with Auckland Transport to bring the project forward and deliver it as quickly as possible.Christopher Luxon: Does he believe the Eastern Busway being delayed two years is fair on the 130000 East Aucklanders who've been paying a regional fuel tax for three years yet remain without any adequate public transport options connecting them to Greater Auckland?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As the member knows and I think all Auckland members will know there is considerable work to do to make sure that Auckland has the linked up public transport system that it deserves. The regional fuel tax is an important part of that. It is important to note that stage one of that project is in fact opening later this month so progress is being made. We have funded the project within ATAP—something that the previous Government didn't do—and we'll work as quickly as we can to deliver that important project.Christopher Luxon: Which of these should be a higher priority: the Eastern Busway connecting 30000 people a day to education and employment or a $785 million cycle bridge carrying 3000 people at most on a good sunny day?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Government believes that in order to deliver the transport solutions that Aucklanders and New Zealanders need we do need to be able to do more than one thing at once and I do note that under the current plans the Eastern Busway will be delivered within the next five years—far quicker than any plan under that previous Government."