14 Apr 2013

Greens launch Auckland rail link campaign

6:03 pm on 14 April 2013

The Green Party has launched a campaign to try to get Aucklanders to change the Government's mind about building a rail loop in downtown Auckland.

The party says the campaign, dubbed Reconnect Auckland, aims to contact tens of thousands of Aucklanders, to help put pressure on the Government to agree to fund at least 60% of the project.

The Green Party says it wants Aucklanders to sign an online petition and voice their feelings to politicians.

Party co-leader Russell Norman says he hopes Aucklanders will take the chance to speak out.

He says many Aucklanders are annoyed about traffic snarl-ups and poor public transport and he hopes that will encourage them to sign up.

Dr Norman says a fast, frequent and affordable rail system would transform Auckland into a modern vibrant city.

He says the link would allow trains to run both ways through Britomart, enabling more frequent services and faster travel times, and possibly a rail link to the airport.

Dr Norman says the Government's focus on roads is locking Aucklanders into last century's concrete jungle, with commuters permanently stuck in traffic jams.