Regional Land Transport Plan Regional Land Transport Plan

The Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) is the 10-year plan for Auckland’s transport network.

Watch the New Zealand Sign Language version of the AT RTLP 2021 video.

Overview

The RLTP is the 10-year plan for Auckland’s transport network. It details the areas that Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail will focus on to respond to our region’s transport challenges. It also outlines the proposed 10-year investment programme for specific transportation projects.

The content of the RLTP is guided heavily by a number of central and local government policies, strategies and decisions.

Auckland Council’s Planning Committee, which guides the physical development and growth of the region, has endorsed the RLTP.

During the consultation, the RLTP was reviewed by all of the Local Boards. Local Boards are part of the Auckland Council that represent the views of local communities.

To learn more about what drives the proposed 10-year transport plan, please read the RLTP or see how it fits into the wider transport strategy.

The benefits this RLTP will deliver:

A significant increase in rapid transit travel options (fast, frequent, high capacity bus and train services separated from general traffic).
Prevent 1,760 deaths or serious injuries (DSI) over the next 10 years - a 67% reduction in DSIs.
More than 200 kilometres of new and upgraded cycleways and shared paths.
Projected increase in public transport use.
Properly renewed transport assets – the roads, footpaths and public transport assets will be kept up to standard.
Significant progress towards decarbonising Auckland’s public transport fleet.

The transport challenges facing Auckland

Auckland is a really desirable place for people to live, and it is growing – fast. Our rising population supports economic growth and increases the vibrancy of our region. But as our population grows, there is more demand for housing, utilities like water and for travel around our region.

This growth means our transport system faces significant challenges now and into the future:

Climate change and the environment – Emissions and other consequences of Auckland’s transport system today are harming the environment and contributing to the transport system becoming increasingly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
Safety – People being seriously injured and killed in our transport system is not acceptable. Our roads need to be forgiving of the mistakes people make and do more to prevent serious harm.
Access – Our population and the number of kilometres we travel in our cars is leading to congested roads and high travel times. Further development of our transport network is needed to increase the use and speed of public transport and walking and cycling facilities as well as improve freight productivity. This is needed to provide better access to employment and social opportunities for more people.
Travel choices – Better and faster public transport options are needed to give Aucklanders more choices in the way they travel. Congestion will continue to get worse if we don’t provide more desirable transport options than the car.

How the RLTP responds to Auckland’s transport challenges

Auckland is a popular place to live and visit. And we want to keep it that way.

In developing the RLTP, we sought the views of a sample of Aucklanders to understand their views on Auckland's transport challenges.

From 29 March – 2 May 2021 we then sought feedback from the wider community to get their feedback on how we propose to progress our region over the next 10 years.

To meet the directives set by central and local government policies and strategies, the draft RLTP aims to contribute solutions in the following areas:

Focus area	Projects include
Climate change & the environment	Electrifying the rail line to Pukekohe Increasing the number of electric/hydrogen buses Starting decarbonisation of the ferry fleet Funding to support the uptake of electric cars
Safety	Road safety projects align with our Vision Zero strategy to help prevent anyone from being killed or seriously hurt on our roads. This involves: Safety engineering improvements, like red-light cameras and safety barriers Ensuring speed limits are safe and appropriate Improving safety near schools Road safety education
Travel choices	Rapid transit - fast, frequent, high capacity bus and train services separated from general traffic Additional and more frequent rail services New train stations New and improved bus stations Accessibility improvements at bus, train and ferry facilities New and extended park and ride facilities
Better public transport connections and roading	Improving the capacity of our roads for people and freight to improve productivity New bus/transit lanes New roads to support housing development Unsealed road and signage improvements
Walking and cycling	New cycleways and shared paths and improved road environments to make cycling safer New or improved footpaths
Auckland’s growth	Providing transport infrastructure for new housing developments and growth areas Improving transport infrastructure in redevelopment locations
Managing transport assets	Maintaining and fixing footpaths, local roads and state highways Maintaining the rail network Works to address climate change risk e.g. flooding, earthquake and slip prevention requirements
Other	Funding for community projects is shared amongst the 21 local boards. This enables smaller scale transport projects decided upon by each local board. Funding to undertake long-term planning for the future Customer experience and technology improvements – this includes things like AT HOP cards and real-time travel information for customers.

For more details on the above and to see which specific projects are funded, please read the full Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (PDF 7.27MB) or download the Project Delivery Map (PDF 3.12MB).

The need for policy changes

Delivering a transport system that works effectively and efficiently relies on transport policy and regulations. In order to further improve the safety of our roads, reduce congestion and tackle climate change, some policy changes will be required.

Some changes can be implemented by Auckland Transport but a high number would need to be led by the central government.

This RLTP proposed that a number of policy responses are required, many of which would require significant advocacy to the Central Government to progress.

Policy responses proposed by the 2021 RLTP

Objectives	Policy response/s
Significantly reduce climate change emissions	Accelerate EV uptake with purchase incentives Changes to current road pricing mechanisms to better manage managing travel demand Motor fuel taxes (including the Emission Trading Scheme) Greater use of biofuels for powering of vehicles and vessels Improved vehicle fuel efficiency standards Employee remote working Removal of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for public transport subsidies made by employers for employees
Accelerate better travel choices for Aucklanders	Implement the “Community Connect” giving a 50% discount on public transport fares for Community Services Cardholders Increase discounts for interpeak fares on eligible bus, train and ferry services Continue to offer the ‘Child Fare-Free Weekend’ initiative on eligible bus, train and ferry services
Make the transport system safe by eliminating harm to people	Higher penalties for speed, distraction, impairment and restraint offences Enhanced enforcement of drug driving Improving the safety of heavy vehicles for vulnerable road users Introduction of alcolocks for drink-driving offenders The ongoing implementation of speed limit reviews on high-risk roads to ensure they are safe and appropriate
Better connect people, places, goods and services	Continue development of an alternative road pricing scheme encompassing demand management to allow for more productive use of the roading network Continued rollout of automated enforcement of transit and bus lanes to ensure higher network productivity and improved safety Continued rollout of residential parking schemes in relevant suburbs
Enable Auckland’s growth Increasing urban density and provision of new funding tools	Increasing urban density and provision of new funding tools

Please read the full Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (PDF 7.27MB) to learn more about the policy changes that this RLTP proposes.

Funding

Over the next 10 years, $37 billion is planned to be spent across Auckland’s transport network. This is funded through:

Auckland Council - rates, development contributions and debt
Central Government - funding from the National Land Transport Fund, other direct Crown funding for projects including the City Rail Link and the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
User pays service charges - parking fees and public transport fares
Regional Fuel Tax

Regional Fuel Tax

A key source of funding for transport projects in Auckland is the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT). The RFT was implemented in Auckland on 1 July 2018 to fund transport projects that would otherwise be delayed or not funded. It adds 10 cents a litre (plus GST) to petrol and diesel.

In conjunction with the RLTP consultation, Auckland Council sought feedback on a proposal to change details of the projects funded in their current Regional Fuel Tax scheme in response to funding decisions made by the government and to align with the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan.

The change only relates to the projects the RFT will fund. The amount of fuel tax you pay will not change. Find out more about the projects the RFT will fund.

Auckland Council's Long-Term Plan +

Auckland Council sought public feedback on its 10-year budget (also known as the Long-Term Plan or LTP) in 2021. The LTP sets out the Council's funding for transport in the RLTP. For more information visit Auckland Council’s 10-year budget 2021-2031 webpage.

Future Connect

Future Connect is our long-term vision for Auckland’s future transport system. It maps the most critical links of our current and future transport networks and will set a 30-year, long-term plan for all transport modes: walking, cycling, public transport, general traffic and freight.

The programmes and projects proposed in the draft RTLP will align with our Future Connect programme. Find out more about Future Connect.

Public engagement

We sought public feedback from 29 March to 2 May 2021 and received 5,818 submissions. Thank you to everyone who took the time to have your say.

A summary of the public feedback received is provided in the final RLTP.

All of the feedback received was analysed and collated into a public feedback report which can be downloaded here:

Please note, the Public Feedback Report will be updated once responses to the feedback received have been provided.

We’ve considered your views, here’s what’s happening

After considering all of the feedback, the AT Board decided on 28 June 2021 to approve the RLTP which has a number of changes as a direct result of the feedback received during the consultation process, such as:

Dairy Flat Highway/The Avenue intersection: Addressing safety and efficiency, subject to funding being available.
New footpaths: An additional $20 million invested over 10 years for new footpaths, - subject to funding being available. This takes the total investment for new footpaths to $69 million.
Hill Street intersection (Warkworth): $4.7m of Auckland Council funding to address the Hill Street intersection. The remainder of the funding for the project is expected to come from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Lake Road improvements (Devonport) business case: Funding for the business case will be split over 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

The RLTP was modified to reflect the Minister of Transport’s announcement on 4 June 2021 regarding changes to the NZUP programme, including a change to the Mill Road project. The RLTP also now recognises a feasibility study for a North Island inter-regional passenger rail service from Auckland to Wellington, which is being undertaken.

The final RLTP was also endorsed by Auckland Council’s Planning Committee, which guides the physical development and growth of the region. We also received submissions from all 21 democratically elected local boards on the draft RLTP as part of the consultation process.

The 2021-2031 RLTP is operational as of 1 July 2021.

The RLTP will be reviewed again within the next three years.

Once again, thank you for helping us make better decisions for Tāmaki Makaurau, informed by your knowledge and experiences.

For more information, please read the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (PDF 7.27MB)

Documents

For more information

Contact Auckland Transport