Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood has responded to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's claim that Auckland has a transport crisis.
The minister says he is pleased the Mayor is taking a strong interest in improved public transport services for Auckland and he looks forward to working with him constructively on these issues.
Michael Wood says the government has come to the table by providing an additional $61 million to lift bus driver pay and conditions.
The minister says the government's also announced a major reform of the Public Transport Operating Model which has exacerbated many of these issues.
He says no government has done more to support improved public transport services.
Michael Wood goes on to say the council's role through Auckland Transport is to actually oversee and manage the services.
This includes the contracting of services, the planning of routes, and the recruitment of drivers.
He says he's sure any specific proposals the Mayor has for how his organisation can resolve these service delivery issues will be well received by Auckland public transport users, and he will be open to discussing these with him.
On immigration, Wood says migrant labour alone cannot solve these issues and should not be an excuse for not tackling the core measures required to make bus driving an attractive career.
However he says he agrees it can play a part in dealing with the current shortage.
