WELLINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government outlined a plan on Monday to improve its transport system by adding new roads of national significance, increasing investment on public transport, keeping people safe and tackling the potholes on roads.

Over the next three years, the investment of around 7 billion NZ dollars (4.27 billion U.S. dollars) per year prioritizes economic growth and productivity, increased maintenance and resilience, safety, and value for money, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said while releasing the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport.

In order for people and freight to move as quickly, and safely, as possible, the government announced to add 15 new roads of national significance.

The draft GPS, which is open to public feedback, also commits up to 2.3 billion NZ dollars (1.4 billion U.S. dollars) for public transport services and 2.1 billion NZ dollars (1.28 billion U.S. dollars) for public transport infrastructure over the next three years, particularly in Auckland and Wellington, Brown said.

A new 500 million NZ dollars (304.92 million U.S. dollars) Pothole Prevention Fund has been established to tackle the record number of potholes on New Zealand roads, he said.

There will be a stronger focus on road policing and enforcement, investing in new and safe roading infrastructure, and targeting the leading contributors to fatal crashes, the minister said.

"The government will introduce workable legislation to enable roadside drug testing, review fines for traffic offences, and review the vehicle regulatory system to better manage the safety performance of the vehicle fleet," he added. Enditem

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