Transport Minister pulls plug on cycling and walking projects

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has told the New Zealand Transport Agency to pull the plug on the country’s cycling and walking projects.

According to a letter released to local authorities, via RNZ, Brown said that programmes aimed at reducing the number of vehicle kilometres travelled must be scrapped, such as the construction of new cycling paths and walkways, as well as initiatives encouraging people to use public transport.

“I have given notice to NZTA to end its work on these programmes, and to not commit any further funding to local authorities (beyond existing contractual obligations) to develop these programmes,” read Brown’s letter.

He said that the programmes are a “waste of time and money” and that the National-led government is taking a different approach to reducing transport emissions that doesn’t discourage people from driving.

After National formed a three-way coalition with ACT New Zealand and NZ First last year, the party began making several changes within the transport sector as part of its ‘100 Day Action Plan’.

One of the biggest changes so far is the abolishment of the Clean Car Discount, otherwise known as the ‘ute tax’, at the end of 2023. That means new car buyers no longer have to pay hefty fees for certain vehicles, while buyers of hybrids and EVs are no longer able to receive a rebate.

Another change is the reversal of “blanket” speed limit reductions that were made under the previous government, which saw speed limits on some State Highways drop from 100 to 80km/h, whereas urban areas saw drops from 50 to 30km/h.