The Govt’s 10 year NZ Transport Strategy 2008 has outlined a major spend up. The Govt’s overall spending on transport (excluding rail infrastructure) will rise from $2700m this year to a minimum of $3200m by 2018/19 and possibly as high as $4100m. The 10 year strategy outlines both minimum and maximum funding scenarios and in both cases roading is the biggest winner. Roading expenditure will rise from $1944m for the 2008/09 year to at least $2205m in 2018/19 and could go as high as $2795m. Within the overall plans, maintenance and renewal budgets for State Highways increases the most, up a minimum of 60% and 65% respectively over the 10 year period. In contrast, annual projected spending on public transport infrastructure falls more than 60% to just $50m excluding any possible commuter rail projects which are not covered in the strategy.

Swings And Roundabouts. Spending on public transport services will jump from $191m to between $290m and $400m but public transport’s total share of the budget will actually fall from 17% in 2008/09 to 15% ($340m) in 2018/19 under the lower funding scenario or rise to 19% ($550m) under the higher expenditure projection. Development of domestic sea and rail freight initiatives will stay virtually static at $7m per annum over the 10 years under the conservative scenario or rise to $18m under maximum spending scenario.

Safety Focus. Aside from boosting infrastructure spending, the strategy aims to cut per capita greenhouse gas emissions from transport in half by by 2040, increase the movement of freight by coastal shipping and rail by 30% and 25% respectively and reduce the kilometres travelled by single occupancy vehicles in major urban areas on weekdays by 10% by 2015. It also seeks to cut the road toll by half to no more than 200 deaths per annum and 1500 serious injuries.

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