'A step backwards': Councillor weighs in on cancelled Auckland light rail project

An Auckland councillor says the government's plan to scrap the Auckland light rail project is "a step backwards".

Over the weekend Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was cancelling Auckland's multi-billion dollar light rail project as part of its 100-day plan.

Many voiced their disappointment, including Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli who says the project would have gotten Auckland transport up to global standards.

"Anyone who's lived overseas - I've lived in Japan and South Korea, will tell you that every metropolitan city has a way to get from your airport straight into the CBD," Fuli says.

She says the project would have helped Aucklanders living near the route from as far Māngere to Dominion Road and beyond.

"It's a real loss, a real loss of vision to cut back on that project without looking at options to still go ahead but in a different way to save money."

Fuli also shared her sympathy with those employed for years in the light rail project as millions have already been spent on it.

"When we were meeting with the light rail people they were telling us about the upgrades to the Māngere town centre. They were getting our community's feedback," she says.

"I do feel sorry for all of those involved in the project and I feel sorry for our communities whose expectations were raised as well."

As an alternative the government has promised to look into the $2.1 billion Botany to airport link, something Fuli says is more an upgrade than an alternative.

"It's just making that motorway route a little bit better including bus routes and things like that."

She says it would upgrade the current transit, building upon improvements already made by the previous government along state highway 20B.

"That will be better than what we've currently got but certainly not as good as a light rail option.

"I'd be interested to see if they'd maybe put in light rail from Botany to the airport because that would be something I'd support especially for the people in Ōtara and Papatoetoe."

Watch Fuli speak on other government announces from 531pi's Facebook page below: