4. Question No. 4—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 4—Transport4. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Transport: What is his best estimate for when construction of the City Centre to Māngere light rail project will begin and what is his best estimate of when the completed project line will be open for passengers?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): As the member is well aware we're going through a process that will give the Government a preferred delivery partner and an announcement will be made on time lines next year. However my best estimate for both parts of the question is that the line will be open well before the date that the previous transport Minister Simon Bridges planned which was 2047.Chris Bishop: What did the chief executive of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) mean when he said last week At this stage this process is about deciding who the preferred delivery partner will be not the specific solution."?SPEAKER: I'll let the question go because it's close to Christmas. It doesn't actually relate to the primary or the answer.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well I think that the MOT's chief executive Peter Mersi was quite clear in this explanation that the twin track process that's currently under way is about informing a Cabinet decision on the delivery partner and delivery model. What I think he also said was that questions about route alignment about design and traffic segregation—all of those things—are part of the process because they are what the parties are putting in their bid. But the decision on those things—route alignment design traffic segregation—will be made after Cabinet makes its decision on the delivery partner.Chris Bishop: Has he seen the comments of Matt Lowry of Greater Auckland who has said "You don't go to Fletcher's and say 'We want you to build us a road.' and Fletcher's go 'OK where do you want us to build it?' and then say 'I don't know. We'll work that out later.' "; and why is he overseeing a process where precisely this scenario is happening in relation to light rail?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well it's not that scenario at all. We are choosing—Hon Members: It is.Hon PHIL TWYFORD: No it's not. It's not that scenario at all. We are choosing a delivery partner and a delivery model and that's partly because the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and their Canadian partners have made a bid that is unlike any other procurement model that's been attempted in New Zealand before and the Government has taken the view that it is compelling it's promising and we are determined to give it serious consideration.Chris Bishop: Is it fair to say that in December 2019 the Government has not yet settled on the exact route that light rail will take in Auckland?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well we know that the line that's been prioritised in the Auckland light rail project which is the city centre to Māngere will cross the isthmus will cross the harbour and will connect two of the biggest concentrations of jobs in the country but the precise route alignment is subject to work that is ongoing and that decision will be made next year.Chris Bishop: Is it fair to say that in December 2019 the Government has not yet settled on what type of rail will be used for the light rail project?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: No. It will be rail with two tracks that go forward in parallel."