This page relates to the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme.
This page sets out requirements, work categories, guidance and profiling and prioritisation of public transport improvements within the public transport activity classes.
Public transport improvements comprise:
Public transport continuous programmes
Although the same work categories may apply, public transport improvement activities are separate from, and in addition to, the public transport continuous programme. Such activities must be treated as improvement projects and identified separately from the public transport continuous programme in the approved organisation’s proposal for inclusion in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) or for funding approval.
Service and operational public transport improvements:
More specifically these improvements include:
Types of service improvement applications include the following:
Monetised benefits and costs manual
Any proposed public transport improvement as set out above must demonstrate how it will add value to the existing network. You can do this via scenario testing of the public transport service programme using the cost–benefit appraisal template which you can download from Transport Investment Online (TIO).
Transport Investment Online(external link)
Service and operational improvements can be carried out under the following work categories as standalone activities, separately identified and funded:
Public transport service improvements use the same work categories as the approved public transport continuous programme, but, where feasible, you should identify and submit these activities as separate improvement projects in TIO for inclusion in the NLTP for funding approval.
The following service and operations-related work categories are not considered public transport improvement activities:
To be considered eligible for investment support, inter-regional service improvements must be included in councils’ regional public transport plans (RPTPs) and regional land transport plans (RLTPs) and be consistent with the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA).
Land Transport Management Act 2003(external link)
Public transport infrastructure improvements include the construction or implementation of public transport-related physical facilities or amenities expected to generate or accommodate a level of service not already being provided.
Public transport infrastructure improvements costing over $2 million total cost are funded under the following work categories:
If the qualifying work is related to infrastructure improvements and is under $2 million:
If the qualifying work relates not only to infrastructure but also to the operations or maintenance of infrastructure amenities, or is clearly renewal related (ie it relates to like-for-like replacement of an existing asset), then the activity can be funded as part of an infrastructure-based public transport continuous programme under either of the following work categories:
General requirements for developing public transport improvement activities are described below.
Approved organisations, Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) and regional transport committees (RTCs) may propose the sources of funding for activities they include in their transport programmes and RLTPs, based on the criteria that apply to the sources.
National Land Transport Programme funding sources policy
We will make the final decision on which source of funding will be applied to assist the activity when it comes forward for funding approval.
We expect approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) to provide robust cost estimates for their activities, which should be prepared by people with experience in doing this. The cost estimation process should follow the principles set out in the Waka Kotahi Cost estimation manual (SM014).
Cost estimation manual (SM014)
Where risk analysis is required to provide 5th and 95th percentile cost estimates, the results are expected to reflect the project phase and type of cost estimate, eg a feasibility estimate would be expected to have a much wider range around the expected estimate than a construction estimate.
The cost estimate is uploaded to the TIO funding application as supporting information.
We require all improvement projects over $20 million estimated construction cost to undergo a parallel cost estimation process as set out in the Cost estimation manual (SM014).
Cost estimation manual (SM014)
A summary of the parallel cost estimate and reconciliation is attached to the TIO funding application as supporting information.
Our requirements for a peer review of improvement activities and guidance on completing this are provided in this knowledge base (PIKB).
The peer review is uploaded to the TIO funding application.
Approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) are expected to apply risk assessment and management processes to the development and implementation/ construction of their activities. These should be appropriate to the scale and risk involved. This process follows the guidance and applies the procedures set out in the Waka Kotahi Risk management practice guide
Minimum standard Z/44 – Risk management practice guide
The risk register and management plan(s) for projects under development are attached to the TIO funding application as supporting information.
Programme consultation is managed by the RTC when it consults on the RLTP. However, the requirement to take into account the views of affected communities under the LTMA and to give early and full consideration of alternative options, implies a need to consult or engage at the activity level in the course of activity development. This may also be required under other legislation, eg the Resource Management Act 1991.
Resource Management Act 1991 (external link)
We may apply conditions to any support, endorsement or approval as determined necessary for a strategy, package, programme or activity. These will generally fall into one of two categories:
Conditions are recorded and managed through TIO.
Transport Investment Online(external link)
Public transport activities proposed for funding from the National Land Transport Fund are profiled and prioritised under the Waka Kotahi Investment Prioritisation Method (IPM).
2021-24 NLTP Investment Prioritisation Method
The IPM has the following requirements for public transport improvements:
Government Policy Statement on land transport 2021(external link)