In April, the Government announced plans for a rapid transport network in Auckland to meet the city’s transport needs and rapidly growing population.The Transport Agency is leading the procurement for the project supported by its partners Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and HLC.NZ Transport Agency Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie, says that market engagement marks a significant milestone for the project.“Market engagement getting underway brings the reality of light rail one step closer for New Zealanders and provides an opportunity to discuss the project with people nationally and internationally who can bring the right skills, technology and equipment to deliver the project when the time comes.“We want the best and the brightest in the industry to be a part of this first for New Zealand, our largest ever infrastructure project.“Market engagement will help establish a robust and open process to ensure all options for procurement and financing are considered in the delivery of a world-class rapid transport network that benefits Auckland and the rest of New Zealand.”Light rail will provide a modern integrated transport system with seamless connections, comparable with transport systems in international cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Portland and Manchester.It will run between Auckland City Centre and Māngere, connecting the city’s two largest employment hubs including Auckland Airport, and between the City Centre and the Northwest to support urban growth.The project will combine transport and urban planning to provide housing and urban development along the future light rail corridor so that communities have better access to jobs, education and recreation.The industry briefing provided information on the overall project and the market engagement process.Following the briefing, meetings will take place with interested participants.The industry briefing was open to local and international suppliers with delivery expertise and capability relevant to light rail, including:
• Civil works and infrastructure contractors• Rolling stock, systems, operations and maintenance providers• Infrastructure investors and financiers• Professional services providers
The Transport Agency will work with Treasury and the Ministry of Transport to ensure the best process is in place to assess all potential proposals and report back to the Ministers of Finance and Transport.
