20 March 2009 The Time is Now: Multi-modal commitment requirement for the transport sector!

 

 

The Minister certainly delivered the substantial funding and he should be applauded for that. It is now a matter of balancing the funding to match the needs or perceived requirements of all parties. This is the tricky task. When trying to respond to the question whether dramatic changes are justified, look at other places around the world.

 

Let's take Japan, a great leader when it comes to transport policy and funding commitment - clean air through stringent emission rules, safe walking and cycling by providing large footpaths and off-road cycle-ways (cycling is seen as quick walking compared to commuter racing in New Zealand), probably one of the best public transport systems in the world (the Shinkanze fast train is always on time), parking in cities is a luxury and there is usually only one motor vehicle per family because of high running costs. The quality of life is high in Japan and people seem to enjoy their lifestyle.

 

How does New Zealand compare to Japan? Not well in terms of our urban structures and planning regimes. New Zealand has a tradition of low density living conditions sprawling into ever expanding suburbs. Currently there are only indicative boundaries for containment of urban sprawl which is expected to take place over the next 30 years. In such conditions, it is difficult to plan an efficient public transport (PT) system that will satisfy everyone. There is, therefore, a reluctance by the general public to demand substantial funding for PT. Had New Zealand conducted public referendums like those held in Switzerland, we may have seen a similar outcome to Monday's Ministerial announcement.

 

Most kiwis see their motor vehicles as their only practical means to get from A to B comfortably. It may be time to introduce cup holders in PT, as well as wireless LAN, air conditioning, screens to watch breakfast TV, increased frequency of PT connections, more seat space and abolishing zoning systems for fares. The fare zoning system in Christchurch does not encourage commuters from outer suburbs to use PT as there is no financial incentive and fuel costs for private motoring have decreased again - at least for the moment. Unless the general public perceives PT to be easy, affordable, safe, comfortable and convenient for everyone, irrespective of whether one wears a suit or shorts, no dramatic switch into PT will occur until motoring becomes too expensive.

 

Watch the space - fuel prices are not going to stay at $US 50/barrel but will climb to around $US 120-140 in the future to cover for all the investments and exploration that the big oil companies are currently making. My colleague Dr Chris Kissling, Professor for Transport at Lincoln University questioned the government decision on live TV on Monday 16th March whether an increase of funding for roads would simply induce further single occupancy car traffic when petrol prices will rise, or in the worse case scenario, secure oil supplies become problematic. He concluded that such a scenario was not a sensible use of road space.

 

There has been an ongoing debate over the last two years that electric cars will fix the problem. They may relieve in some way the dependence on fossil fuels but will certainly not reduce the congestion. The Mitsubishi "MiEV" electric looks promising4{2r urban-suburban commuting not involving towing or carrying substantial loads. There are a number of vehicles being tested at the moment but the new Toyota Prius Ill is still equipped with the same battery sets as previously. Mitsubishi indicated at the Geneva motor show that they were going to launch 2000 vehicles this year in cooperation with the battery manufacturer Yuasa.

 

This vehicle will run approx 100km under normal conditions with air conditioning and not 160km as officially indicated. But the rumoured price tag may be three times the equivalent of the petrol engine.

 

Taking a reality check, it is likely that by 2020, New Zealand will only see 5-10% of the total vehicle fleet registered as electric vehicles following early consumer reluctance, unless a wreckage subsidy is offered on old cars. NZ could be innovative in a different way and become a world leader by retrofitting some classic gas-guzzlers with electric engines. F&P might usefully turn their skills to enhancing their washing machine engines to be used in classic cars.
 

We should not overlook that the NZ market already has fuel efficient Diesel vehicles running at under 41itres/100km (e.g. VW Polo Blue Motion) and large family vehicles like the VW Passat TDI Blue motion ( < 51iters/100km ). European manufacturers are confident that they can reduce their petrol and diesel engine fuel consumption by a further 25-30% if fuel prices were to rise quickly. It is currently not economic to introduce such engines.

 

It is also time for this government to review the Road User Charge (RUC) system that penalises efficient Diesel vehicles and heavy motor vehicles. We could see fewer trucks on the road by removing the RUC and replacing it by a Diesel tax. A new tax system would reduce the tare weight of trucks and hence increase the payload meaning fewer trucks would be needed to complete the same workload.

 

Toll roads are often a suitable solution to help fund new infrastructure that will benefit specific users. However, new large scale projects may take much time to plan and implement in ways that minimise adverse effects. In some instances government might consider enlarging some existing roads by adding one extra lane. These lanes could be used freely by buses together with other low occupancy road users who would pay. Physical separation is needed with tolling systems that automatically charge a variable toll on the vehicles that decide to take the fast lane, the actual amount charged varying according to the need to maintain steady and fast flows at all times. There are overseas examples of partially tolled motorways or highways that are well used and accepted. The concept could be incorporated in the new motorway designs for Christchurch

 

Seriously, improving PT should be on the agenda of central and local governments, especially if New Zealand is to keep to a strategic transport outlook. Decision makers need only to check the IRJ - International Railway Journal - to understand that Rail in all forms is a sine qua non requirement around the world. The capital investment for such projects falls to a large extent (85% in Germany) on central governments who plan in liaison with local and regional interests.

 

Might we not expect larger investment in PT in Canterbury using regional funds now that the Minister of Transport has indicated our big ticket road items are considered to be of national significance and therefore are to be funded by central government?

 

It is encouraging to see central government confirming it will fund upgrades of the existing commuter rail systems in Wellington and Auckland.

 

Additional funding should be allocated from the Crown to launch the first two lines of Light Rail (LR) in Christchurch to be integrated into the current excellent PT bus system. A new LR system linking Homby with New Brighton beach passing through the CBD would have many Win Wins.

 

Every home owner along this route now thinking of writing a NIMBY letter to the editor, should consider carefully as their property values will increase as urban redevelopment is encouraged. A recent LR extension in Strasbourg (France) saw apartment prices rise 50% in less than a year. Christchurch could opt for a Bombardier LR system that runs on a guided track as well as off track.

 

Road safety is paramount - which requires a number of actions from government to provide safety measures for the most vulnerable - cyclists and pedestrians. It would be unacceptable to deny increased funding in these two non polluting and healthy modes of transport.

 

Funding needs to be derived from a variety of sources including higher national fuel taxes. New Zealand has one of the lowest fuel taxes in the world. People should be mindful that the fantastic tram and light rail systems they experience during their overseas trips are financed to a large extent through fuel taxes. Shifting a percentage of trips to soft modes (walking, cycling) and into PT will free up space on roads and hence benefit the national economy and reduce accidents by lowering driver frustration levels.

 

The time for quick decision-making in multi-modal transport investment is right now in order to boost the economy and to retain skilled workers before they decide to depart across the Tasman. Kiwis can be proud of major infrastructure developments. But DO NOT restrict funding to just ROADS. That is a failed policy from the past - New Zealand needs to embrace a sustainable transport policy properly aligned with policy on energy to fuel transport.

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