Greens promise to remove Auckland level crossings, and a car crosses the tracks as a train approaches
At Morningside, Auckland, on Monday 5 October, Green co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick pledged funding to remove level crossings on the Western Line (1News, RNZ). While they spoke, a car drove across the tracks as a train approached, with lights flashing and the barrier down. Davidson cited almost 70 crashes and hundreds of near misses at Auckland level crossings over a decade. On Saturday the party had set out a roughly $4 billion passenger rail package.
Level crossings limit how many trains can run, so removing them is central to Auckland's rail plans as well as to safety.
If you cross the Western Line by car or on foot, obey the barriers. The policy would only change anything if the Greens are in government.
Supporters say removal saves lives and allows more frequent trains.
Critics say the cost is high and the party has not said where the money would come from beyond its tax policy.
The cost was not given in the reports DailyDrop saw, which is the detail to look for.
DailyDrop New Zealand edition No. 2 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 6, 2026