Land transport policy to change after cyclone

Cyclone Gabrielle has prompted the Government to change its indicative transport priorities, transport minister Michael Wood confirms. 

The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024 was intending to make emissions reduction the main focus and is due for consultation this year after the Government committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and released its Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). 

Increases in fuel taxes and road user charges were being considered, but any changes are unlikely until well after June 30.

Petrol excise duty will remain at its current reduced rate of 45.02 cents per litre until June 30, 2023, says the Ministry of Transport.

Reduced road user charges rates will be reintroduced and apply until June 30, 2023. All rates will be reduced by 36%, it adds.

Public transport fares will remain at half price until June 30, 2023. Community Connect (ongoing half-price public transport for community services cardholders) will commence on July 1, 2023, and half-price fares for Total Mobility users will continue indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the briefing also proposed getting rid of some street space currently dedicated to private vehicles (including for car parking), and have this reallocated to deliver more bus lanes, separated bike/scooter lanes, and walking improvements.

Wood confirms the land transport policy will now change following the devastation caused by the cyclone. 

“We are now working on an emergency-style GPS that will focus on the huge task of reconstruction of roads and bridges washed out by the cyclone and flooding, as well as building greater resilience so our transport network can better withstand the increasing frequency of extreme weather events like we have seen this year,” says Wood. 

“No final decisions, including changes to fuel exercise duty, have been made as we are still working through the full extent of the damage inflicted by Gabrielle.”

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