The reality of a changing climate is already being felt across the motu with the number of weather events affecting the transport network growing from 271 in 2021/22 to 512 in 2022/23. Many parts of the country, including Marlborough, Nelson, Wellington and Northland, were cut off by a large-scale weather system in August 2022 that caused flooding, slips and washouts. The land transport network was further damaged in early 2023, particularly in Te Ika-a-Māui North Island. Responding to and recovering from severe weather events such as these was a priority for us throughout the year and meant other planned work needed to be paused or deferred. The additional work has also added pressure to our already strained funding system.
The recovery and rebuild from the severe weather events during 2022/23 will take time. Most of the country has been affected by serious weather-related emergency events in recent years, and many corridors are still relying on interim solutions such as single lanes, detours or Bailey bridges.
We will continue to work across government, particularly with Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport and The Treasury, as we look at what it means to build smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure for the whole country. We are committed to improving the condition and resilience of the land transport network, including through delivering the actions set in Tiro Rangi. Funding and legislative decisions taken by Cabinet and Parliament over coming years will influence how we support communities to rebuild and become more resilient.
To improve public transport networks across the country, in 2022/23 we worked with the sector to address bus driver shortages by providing better pay and conditions for staff. This will continue to be an area of focus in 2023/24 as we aim to make bus services more frequent and reliable.
During 2022/23, we worked with the sector to prepare for the implementation of Community Connect. This programme provides half-price public transport fares for all Community Service Card holders and those aged 13 to 25, and free fares for children under 13. Community Connect will improve access to transport and reduce congestion as well as supporting our safety and emissions reduction targets.
Another way we are making public transport easier and more accessible is through the National Ticketing Solution (NTS). The NTS will use a nationally coordinated approach to payment for public transport services. In October 2022, we, public transport authorities and the supplier of the solution signed a participation agreement.
We continued to implement our freight action plan to improve connections and the movement of freight across the country, while reducing emissions in line with ERP targets.
Most freight in Aotearoa New Zealand is moved by road. Travel times were less predictable in 2022/23 than in 2021/22, reflecting the return of urban congestion to pre-COVID-19 levels, the impacts of severe weather events and road closures.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freight movement, we need to both increase efficiency and use more climate-friendly options such as rail and coastal shipping. The Rail Network Investment Programme, released in 2021/22, aims to restore the national rail network to a resilient and reliable state. We supported KiwiRail in the second year of the programme, with $455 million invested in the programme during 2022/23.
Coastal shipping has an important role to play as severe weather events and emergencies continue to damage the land transport network. During 2022/23, we worked with the sector to set the foundations so coastal shipping can play a greater role in moving freight.
We continued to work with our partners to progress planning for future rapid transit projects in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. These projects will support city growth, enable effective urban development, and make it easier and safer for people to move around. Indicative business cases for Let’s Get Wellington Moving and mass rapid transit in Christchurch were endorsed in 2022/23. Completion of the Auckland Rapid Transit Plan was delayed so it can be integrated with the Auckland Rail Network, Auckland Light Rail and Waitemata Harbour Connections business cases.
