Transport

UnitedFuture recognises that an efficient transport sector is an essential component of national infrastructure and well being. We will work towards an integrated national transport system that meets the needs of industry, commerce and the wider community at a reasonable cost.

It is UnitedFuture policy to:

• Support public private partnerships (PPPs) and other investment options for urgently-needed, high cost highways for which there is significant community support, but continue to treat the National Land Transport Fund as the primary source of funding.
• Increase the Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) that is paid by central government to local authorities for the construction and maintenance of local roads up to 80% of their total costs.
• Complete the Roads of National Significance programme, across New Zealand (including the construction of the Transmission Gully highway).
• Improve traffic flow and road safety by road straightening along State Highway 1.
• Promote research into alternative energy sources for transport, such as fuel cells.
• Promote barging and coastal shipping services where economically viable as an alternative to land-based freight movement.
• Support the continued use and upgrading of commuter buses and rail.
• Improve the school bus system to assist decongesting roads in the major cities.
• Encourage Walking Buses within a two km radius of every urban school.
• Support fair and free competition between air travel providers.
• Encourage the use of electric and hybrid motor vehicles.
• Require cars to meet a certain level of carbon emissions as part of the Warrant of Fitness process by 2015.
• Implement policies to reduce the average age of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet, thereby reducing average fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
• Support the Ministry of Transport and city councils to promote and cater for the safety of cyclists through the establishment of cycle lanes in areas where this is practical.