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Auckland Council is preparing for its most significant governance change as legislation progresses to return control of transport from Auckland Transport to council.
The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill is expected to become law this month, triggering a six-month transition period.
By September, Auckland Council will be a Road Controlling Authority and a new public transport council-controlled organisation (CCO) will be established.
Mayor Wayne Brown says reform is necessary to address “an overly complicated approach to decision-making” that has created silos, high consultant reliance and low public confidence.
“I want to eliminate the dumb stuff that infuriates me and ratepayers,” he said.
Under the proposal, a new Public Transport CCO would retain responsibility for:
• Managing bus, rail and ferry contracts
• Public transport service and route planning
• Delivery and integration of the City Rail Link
• Operation of stations and ferry terminals
• Public transport-specific technology and customer service
All other transport functions would move into Auckland Council, including infrastructure delivery aligned with a proposed 30-year Integrated Transport Plan developed with central government.
Brown outlined four key objectives for reform:
• Efficient and safe public transport from day one
• Cost-effective infrastructure delivery with network-wide thinking
• Integration of land-use and transport planning
• A mature funding relationship with central government
Brown acknowledged that incorporating more than 1000 staff into council within six months would be challenging, but said reform marks “the beginning of a journey of continuous improvement.”
