Artist impression of Auckland's light rail. (file image) Photo: Supplied
The new National-led government is following through on its plans to cancel the Auckland Light Rail project.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown issued a statement on Sunday, officially cutting the plan.
Work was already stopped on the multi-billion dollar project in November.
Brown said the cost of the previous Labour-led government's project was unsustainable.
"Auckland Light Rail would have cost taxpayers $15 billion, with advice showing the cost could increase to $29.2 billion," said Brown.
"The previous government committed to building light rail to Mt Roskill within four years of being elected. After six years and over $228 million spent on the project, not a single metre of track has been delivered and congestion has only worsened in the city.
"Scrapping the expensive project is part of the coalition agreements and we have taken swift action. Auckland Light Rail Limited has been instructed to immediately cease work on the project, and to take the necessary steps to wind up the company."
Transport Minister Simeon Brown Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Labour's light rail plan had the potential to take up to 14,500 cars off the road but the price soared to $14.6 billion when it was decided to partly tunnel the rail line.
Auckland councillor Christine Fletcher was a supporter of light rail but said it blew out of proportion and needed to be terminated.
She hopes the information gathered by the project does not go to waste.
"There will still need to be work done on the bus congestion" in places around the city, she said.
"I think it's absolutely critical we try and preserve as much of the data and quality information, because tens of millions of dollars have been spent on this, and that information is really valuable to Auckland Council."
A public transport commentator is disappointed the former Labour government didn't move fast enough to implement Auckland Light Rail.
Greater Auckland editor Matt Lowrie said the decision was not surprising nor unwelcome.
He said light rail should have been finished by now but was poorly managed by Labour.
"Light rail had already been designed, it was ready to go, and when they took over the project Labour got distracted by the idea of tunnels or big fancy metro-type projects and spent four or five years trying to investigate that, and ultimately they didn't deliver anything.
"National had long opposed the project and has now come and cancelled it."
Lowrie said there was still great need for better public transport across Auckland.
RNZ has approached Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Transport for reaction but they were unable to comment today.
Minister Brown said the government would still be committed to delivering infrastructure projects in the Auckland region.
"Our focus is on building a rapid transit network in Auckland, including completion of the City Rail Link, which was started by the last National government, and starting work on a Northwest Rapid Transit corridor, alongside other projects to deliver reduced congestion for Aucklanders.
"The government's decision to scrap Auckland Light Rail means that we can stop work on a project which has not delivered and get on with delivering the critical transport infrastructure that Auckland needs."
