Equitable transport access across Auckland

​Auckland's growth is forecast to create major challenges in getting around, especially commuting to and from work.

Unless sufficient consideration is given to the interaction between transport and land use planning, many people may end up working a long distance away from home. This will result in long, unreliable journeys.

Transport challenges impact people in different ways, so it is important that equity is always a key priority.

The Transport Emissions Reduction Plan highlights that, if planned and implemented effectively, rebalancing and decarbonising the transport system can reduce existing transport inequities.

What this means

Without major intervention, the way Auckland is expected to grow means many people (particularly those living in outer suburbs and rural areas may need to travel further to reach their jobs. This will put additional pressure on our transport networks and ultimately limit or reduce the number of jobs that can be reached within a reasonable commute time.

Improving access to employment is a key way to:

• improve prosperity
• enhance social mobility
• lift people out of poverty.

Transport inequities have the potential to create and exacerbate broader inequities in society, so it is important that the transport system adequately meets the needs of all Aucklanders regardless of age, ability or financial means.

Addressing this challenge will need to be an ongoing focus of transport and growth planning in Auckland.

What we can do about it

We need to focus on both improving the transport system and shaping the way Auckland grows. This includes:

• encouraging much stronger business growth and employment opportunities in more locations across the region, so that people have more options to work or study close to where they live
• encouraging substantial housing growth in highly accessible locations, such as along main public transport routes
• making better use of existing transport networks, which includes increasing the share of travel by walking, cycling and public transport
• increasing opportunities to walk and cycle as low-cost travel options, particularly in areas that lack safe infrastructure for active transport
• targeting investment in new transport infrastructure to improve access to opportunities
  
• deliberately addressing existing inequities whilst transforming Auckland’s transport system.