Situation vacant, again. The man chosen as Auckland Transport's new chief executive has pulled the handbrake, before even getting in the driver's seat.

In a surprise media statement, AT said with the arrival of a new Auckland Council and changes to the board, the environment has changed and the preferred candidate does not want the job anymore.

Checkpoint understands he was a high calibre candidate based in the UK and wanted to have a conversation with the mayor before he moved to Auckland, but never got one.

Mayor Wayne Brown has been highly critical of the transport agency's performance and called for the entire board to resign - so far only a few have obliged.

Transport expert Matt Lowrie from Greater Auckland talks to Lisa Owen.