The Budget’s failure to contribute funding for a fleet of hybrid electric trains in the lower North Island has surprised and disappointed Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils.
The trains, which are battery powered on non-electric track, were proposed by the councils in a business case paid for by Waka Kotahi.
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter and Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell said the government’s decision was, “Like the lights being turned off”.
"It’s especially disappointing for commuters and surprising for our councils. But we’re not giving up,” Cr Ponter said.
“When enacted, our business case will significantly reduce transport emissions while providing for population growth and the replacement of aged rolling stock.”
Supported by Manawatū-Whanganui’s seven mayors, as well as the eight mayors of the Wellington region, the business case recommends a $762 million dollar investment in a fleet of 22 four-car, tri-mode trains, and associated infrastructure.
Greater Wellington welcomed news today that the Government is investing $1.3 billion in the national rail network over the next three years. Chair of Greater Wellington Daran Ponter says the investment news comes at a crucial time with the regional council preparing its business case for new inter-regional trains. “It’s great to see the Government putting real value back into rail network assets. We need resilient rail corridors to get value out of the new rolling stock that Greater Wellington and Horizons are planning to introduce. There’s no point having fancy new trains connecting more passengers in the Lower North Island if they are being held up by the same creaking rails and signals.
Greater Wellington is investigating rolling out Snapper payments on rail services across the region following decisions made at Council today to help pave the way for national ticketing.
Councillors from Greater Wellington appeared at Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee today, representing 16 regional, district and city councils along the Northern Explorer route, calling on KiwiRail to reopen and refocus the service on connecting regions as well as tourism.
Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils have secured $5m in funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to pursue a detailed business case, and commence procurement for regional trains which if delivered would prevent passengers from being packed like sardines within the next five years.
28 DEC 2024 – 4 JAN 2025 You won’t find them mentioned in a travel brochure on your high street; you won’t find them in most guidebooks, you probably don’t know anyone that has ever been there and they don’t even appear on some maps of the New Zealand’s South Pacific – these are the ‘forgotten islands’.
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