Rapid-Rail Study ‘A Waste Of Time'

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32068, 16 August 1969, Page 14

Rapid-Rail Study ‘A Waste Of Time '

CN«w Zealand rtt»t Assactofion)

AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. With one dissenting voice, a four-man panel on rapid rail in Auckland agreed tonight that any further studies of the subject would be a waste of time and money.

The Deputy Leader Of the Opposition (Mr Watt), the member of Parliament for Remuera (Mr D. A. Highet), the Mayor of Auckland (Mr D. M. Robinson), and the Mayor of Takapun* (Mr A. F. Thomas) were the members of the panel. The chairman of the Auckland Regional Authority (Mr T. H. Pearce) presided.

The panel discussion was part of a two-day rapid-rail symposium, which will finish tomorrow.

Mr Watt said that anything which further delayed the development of a rapid-rail system would cost the people of Auckland and New Zealand millions of dollars.

’Tm completely convinced that a rapid-rail system is the answer to our transport problem," he said. Mr Highet said he was horrified to think that another investigation or report was going to be called for. He had thought that all the investigations were over and that the “green light" had been given to the scheme. However, Mr Thomas felt that further research was required in view of the congestion that was strangling many

American cities, despite their repaid-rsil systems. On other points the panel was generally agreed that Auckland should continue to press for a rapid-rail system, that the provision of the service was in large measure the duty of the Government, and that extension to the initial “inner ring" would eventually be necessary.