The NZ Transport Agency has unveiled details of a $16.9 billion program of investment planned for New Zealand’s land transport system during the next three years.

The National Land Transport Program (NLTP) is a partnership between local government – which invests local funding on behalf of ratepayers – and the NZ Transport Agency which invests national funding through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). Funds for the NLTF are collected from petrol excise, road user charges and vehicle registration and licensing fees.

The $16.9 billion 2018/21 NLTP includes $12.9 billion from the NLTF, with $3.4 billion from local authorities. The NZ Government will also will invest $547 million in additional funding to deliver specific programmes through the NLTP.

The Transport Agency’s Chief Executive Fergus Gammie says the investments to be made through the NLTP will help to create a safer, more accessible, sustainable and affordable transport system for New Zealand.

“We are committed to giving New Zealanders a range of safe travel options, and creating a transport system that is more resilient and accessible," he says. 

“This is an investment in the transport system as a whole, and it aims to make all parts of the system work better together to provide the greatest benefits to people and communities."

Gammie there is a different focus from previous programs, with a greater focus on "one complete transport system that better joins all travel options, including public transport, walking and cycling". 

“The level of transport investment over the next three years will be the largest on record, and there will be a different mix of outcomes compared with previous NLTPs," he says. 

“We’ll be investing in activities with strong safety outcomes, providing better access to all forms of transport and making the system more resilient to keep communities, people and businesses connected.”

The current program includes input from regional transport committees and Auckland Transport, which have submitted regional land transport programs outlining their priorities for NLTP funding.

“We’ve worked closely with local government for several months to ensure that these investments are carefully targeted to areas and activities where they are needed most and will deliver the best outcomes for the greatest number of people in the regions. The Transport Agency will continue to work closely with councils to deliver the programme over the next three years," Gammie adds. 

More details are available here.