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Auckland has rapid transit Super City Mayor |
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Written by Will Wilson
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Sunday, 10 October 2010 08:29 |
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 Len Brown has won the Auckland Super City mayoralty race. The NZ Herald noted he has invoked the legacy of former mayor Dove Myer-Robinson, declaring that he wanted to build a city on rapid transit, which would encourage economic growth.
While it is early days yet to see what rapid transit options will be considered in the new Super City (Len Brown has mostly spoken about rail solutions) it will be interesting to see the new administration's reaction to PRT as a solution.Third placing candidate Colin Craig has put the pod car option out there to the city of Auckland as part of his campaign effort. PRT or pod cars will need greater voice.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to consider PRT or pod cars right now is the need for a low cost solution for the Auckland harbour bridge. A new crossing, whether a tunnel or a bridge, will be 15-20 years away and the cost is significant. That cost is not only in direct dollars but cumulative lost time (amounting to billions per year according to some studies) and pollution.The North Shore is facing traffic growth that is double the population growth. By some estimates that means 30% more traffic within that 20 year period. Whatever way you cut it, the solution was required yesterday.
Perhaps a light-weight elevated PRT solution could be bolted onto the existing bridge in the meantime. It could be in place in 3-5 years. It is now time for Auckland's transit people to look hard at all the solutions
Image Courtesy of www.locate2manukau.com
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Last Updated on Friday, 17 December 2010 14:05 |
Comments
We should be having some debate about the alternatives and not just busway alternatives
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