Dear Auckland Transport,

I am seeking information and clarification around the status of the Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchanges please.

Context

From a communication forwarded to me that Auckland Transport had written in regards to Otahuhu and Manukau Transport Interchanges it was stated:

In relation to your question on Manukau and Otahuhu Bus Interchanges, here is a response.
At the moment, Auckland Transport are operating in a very uncertain funding environment as they deal with potentially lower LTP capital expenditure in the Basic Transport Network (BTN) versus that in the Auckland Plan Transport Network (APTN).
Auckland Transport have opted to progress design and potentially early works (within funding) on projects that would be funded in earlier years under the APTN to ensure momentum is not lost.
And in the case of these two projects, the following would be the desired timeline without the constrained BTN funding:
• Construction on the Manukau Bus Interchange project would start in the 1st quarter of 2015 with target completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.
• Construction of the Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange would start later this month with expected completion in late 2015. Currently, the detailed design process is underway.

In addition, Auckland Transport are currently exploring re-prioritisation options for these 2 projects. As this is currently being worked through, no update to the draft LTP has been made. If re-prioritisation cannot be achieved in 2014/15 and in the early years of the LTP, Auckland Transport would only deliver on initial improvements within the current funding, with the delivery of full specification in 2020/21.
Current Basic Transport Network (the Mayors proposal) budgeted figures:
Manukau Bus Interchange
• We have design funding of $3.8m in 2014/15
• Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
• Total required funding is planned at $23.9m (inflated)
Otahuhu Bus Train Interchange
• We have design and some early works funding of $6.3m in 2014/15
• Then there is no funding provided in the BTN programme until 2020/21
• Total required funding is planned at $26.8m (inflated)

My questions to Auckland Transport are the following:
1. What is the definition of Early Works for Otahuhu Transport Interchange, in other words for $6.3m for the 2014/2015 year what does it get us in regards to Otahuhu Transport Interchange if reprioritisation is not successful in allowing the full set of works for Otahuhu Transport Interchange
2. The Tender Documents either open or closed for the construction of these “early works” for Otahuhu Transport Interchange cannot be found on the various Auckland Transport pages including these two:
a. https://at.govt.nz/media/618879/NZTA-Awa...
b. https://www.tenderlink.com/aucklandtrans...
Is there a particular reason why these tender documents are not publicly accessible or not on your Awarded Contracts PDF
3. Is there an updated version of the https://at.govt.nz/media/665907/CDD-Forw... which is meant to be updated monthly but has not been done so since August 2014
4. Are the designs for the Manukau Transport Interchange able to be released into the public domain yet? If not when so please. What will happen with those designs if the Basic Transport Network continues and the Manukau Interchange cannot be built until 2020/2021?
Please note I will be forwarding a LGOIMA directly to Auckland Council on what happens to Lot 59 where the Interchange sits if the Manukau Interchange does not proceed until 2020/2021

I look forward to your reply
Yours faithfully,

Ben Ross