Dear Auckland Transport,

I note in the Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (RLTP) that all rail lines are Mass Rapid Transit except for the Onehunga Line. With respect to the Onehunga Line, the RLTP states:
"Parts of the transit network that do not meet the definition of rapid transit now or in the future, but are important to support the operation of the RTN, for example, the Onehunga branch line and Northern Busway section along SH1. These parts of the network are shown as ‘supplementary network’. "

The National Urban Planning Statement 2020 includes the following definition of Mass Rapid Transit:
"rapid transit service means any existing or planned frequent, quick, reliable and high-capacity public transport service that operates on a permanent route (road or rail) that is largely separated from other traffic"

I am interested in the Criteria used by which AT decided that the Western, Southern and Eastern rail lines are Mass Rapid Transit but the Onehunga Line is not.

1) Can the Auckland Transport please provide the definition of "quick" it used in deciding whether an Auckland PT service meets the "rapid transit" service speed criteria outlined in One Network Framework and/or the UPS?

2) Can the Auckland Transport please provide the definition of "frequent" it used in deciding whether an Auckland PT service meets the "rapid transit" service frequency criteria outlined in One Network Framework and/or the UPS?

3) Can the Auckland Transport please provide the definition of "reliable" it used in deciding whether an Auckland PT service meets the "rapid transit" service reliability criteria outlined in One Network Framework and/or the UPS?

4) Can the Auckland Transport please provide the definition of "high-capacity" it used in deciding whether an Auckland PT service meets the "rapid transit" service capacity criteria outlined in One Network Framework and/or the UPS?

5) Can the Auckland Transport please provide the definition of "a permanent route (road or rail) that is largely separated from other traffic" it used in deciding whether an Auckland PT service meets the "rapid transit" separated from other traffic criteria outlined in One Network Framework and/or the UPS ?

6) Can the Auckland Transport please provide copies of the reports, presentations or working papers where the definitions of "rapid transit service" and/or "rapid transit stop" were analysed or discussed?

7) Can the Auckland Transport please provide copies of the reports, presentations or working papers where there was discussion on whether the Onehunga Line would or would not meet the definitions of being a "rapid transit service" and/or "rapid transit stop”?

8) Can the Auckland Transport please provide copies of the correspondence with any central government ministries, departments or agencies where there was discussion on whether the Onehunga Line would or would not meet the definitions of being a "rapid transit service" and/or "rapid transit stop”?

9) Can the Auckland Transport please provide copies of the correspondence with any other local government councils or agencies where there was discussion on whether the Onehunga Line would or would not meet the Spatial Plan definitions of being a "rapid transit service" and/or "rapid transit stop”?

If the requested information is held in electronic form, it is preferred that it is provided in its complete and original electronic format.

Yours faithfully,

Tony Randle