Finance Minister Cullen Must Take Ownership Of Rail Problem

New Zealand First Transport spokesperson Peter Brown is calling on the Minister of Finance Michael Cullen to take responsibility for our failing rail system.

“Dr Cullen has refused to even consider the possibility of buying back the rail track and does not seem to care if it is sold off piecemeal. This is ridiculous and could reduce safety dramatically by not removing freight, particularly log and container freight, from our already congested roads,” said Mr Brown.

“The rail system is in disarray and if it is sold off piecemeal as Dr Cullen wants will be run purely for profit without any question of developing and enhancing it to carry a greater share of freight and passengers.

“This is incompatible with an overall strategic plan to address transport problems around the country.

“New Zealand First supports the rail track being bought back and run as one entity. This is a system that has been successfully put in place in Queensland and Britain to address their similar transport problems.

“Dr Cullen must take ownership of this issue, not simply wait and see what happens,” concluded Mr Brown.

© Scoop Media