Hon Michael Wood Hon Dr David Clark
Transport Minister Michael Wood and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dr David Clark today released the Government’s long term vision for a sustainable rail network that supports our economic recovery.
New Zealand Rail Plan lays out how the Government is building a resilient, reliable and safe network, as well as the indicative investments over the next decade.
Michael Wood said rail is key to keeping New Zealand moving and is supporting our economic recovery.
“The disruptions to the supply chain due to COVID have shown how important it is to have a reliable rail network to keep freight flowing, which keeps our economy moving. The Rail Plan shows how we’re getting rail back on track after the former government let it slide into managed decline.
Hon Michael Wood
Transport Minister Michael Wood is seeking feedback on options for the next phase of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review to better protect bus drivers’ pay conditions, and also achieving the Government’s target of fully decarbonising the public transport bus fleet by 2035.
Michael Wood said investing in our people and providing critical infrastructure is part of the Government’s COVID economic recovery plan.
“Bus drivers play a key role in keeping our cities moving, getting commuters to work and giving Kiwis travel choices. Unfortunately, it’s obvious the former government’s PTOM policy has driven down wages and conditions for many,” Michael Wood said
South Auckland s Mill Rd highway: Transport Minister silent on the cost of project
4 May, 2021 12:53 AM
4 minutes to read
Transport Minister Michael Wood confirmed last week that the Government was reviewing the estimated cost of the NZ Upgrade Programme, including the Mill Rd project. Photo / Chris McKeen
Transport Minister Michael Wood confirmed last week that the Government was reviewing the estimated cost of the NZ Upgrade Programme, including the Mill Rd project. Photo / Chris McKeen
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By: Stephen Forbes
Transport Minister Michael Wood refuses to say what the latest cost projections are for Auckland s Mill Rd project.
Expected to cost $1.35 billion when the Government announced funding in January last year, Mill Rd was the biggest project in the $12b NZ Upgrade Programme.
KEVIN STENT/Stuff
Wellington bus drivers picketed the Kilbirnie depot during their 24-hour strike in April after pay negotiations with NZ Bus reached an impasse. The policy was intended to improve efficiency and reduce the need for government funding of public transport. But many in the industry say it has given an advantage to companies which pay drivers less. “They have to compete on labour, because it’s the only cost that isn’t fixed,” Tramways Union secretary Kevin O’Sullivan said. The petition calls on the Government to establish regional collective agreements, to ensure drivers are paid equitably regardless of which company wins public transport contracts.
Last week Wood confirmed the Government was reviewing estimated costs for the entire programme, including the Mill Rd project. But he refused to answer questions about the projected cost and whether work is still scheduled to start in 2022. Wood said the Government is “working through the cost and scope” of the projects to ensure they still meet key objectives and that costs are managed appropriately.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
Transport Minister Michael Wood refuses to say what the latest cost projections are for Auckland’s Mill Rd, a project originally slated at $1.35b. “Ministers are working through options on how to take the programme forward and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks, he said.