NZTA annual report highlights transport achievements

Improvements to public transport and state highways, a strong focus on road safety, better customer service and good progress on delivering seven Roads of National Significance projects are among the achievements highlighted in the NZ Transport Agency's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2011, now available online.

NZTA Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield says the agency’s achievements in 2010/11 demonstrate its focus on creating a safer and more efficient transport system for all New Zealanders.

“We’re working hard to deliver transport solutions for a thriving New Zealand, and this report clearly outlines the steps we’ve taken over the past 12 months to achieve that goal.

“There are many challenges ahead, but I’m proud of the progress the 1,300 people who work for this organisation have made in the past year to make transport better for New Zealanders. Together we’ve achieved 113 of 131 ambitious performance targets, and made good progress on the others.”

During the 12 months covered by the annual report, the NZTA:

• Invested nearly $53 million in local roads in Canterbury as an initial response to the earthquakes in the region.
• Invested $239 million in public transport services and infrastructure, including construction and implementation of the first phase of Auckland’s new integrated fare system.
• Made significant progress on all seven of the government’s designated roads of national significance projects, including better than expected progress on construction of Tauranga’s Eastern Link and Auckland’s Victoria Park Tunnel.
• Invested more than $300 million in local road maintenance and operations, matched by a similar level of investment from local government.
• Completed 38 construction phases (against a planned 27) on small and medium-sized state highway projects.
• Delivered 880,000 driver licences and tests.
• Completed 8.7 million motor vehicle registry transactions.
• Undertook 7.6 million warrant of fitness and 485,000 certificate of fitness certifications.
• Answered more than 1.9 million customer phone calls.
• Conducted 93 audits of rail operators.
• Processed 5.1 million trips on New Zealand’s first electronic toll road.

"These achievements benefit all New Zealanders, and they would not have been possible without the collaboration and support from our agents and contractors, local authorities, Kiwirail, ports and users – to integrate land use and transport planning in a way that ensures we continue to make well-targeted investments in our national, regional and local land transport systems.”