Capital Connection subsidy funding has support of Horowhenua’s Mayor and Deputy

Horizons Regional Council's decision to contribute funding in efforts to see the Capital Connection rail service continue has full support from Horowhenua District's Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

On Tuesday Horizons' councilors agreed unanimously to subsidise the Capital Connection or a similar rail service for five years, dependent on securing funding from Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Ministry of Transport.

Horizons has committed the funding for the subsidy, at a value of $550,000 spread over five years, in efforts to retain a commuter train service after June 30 this year.

Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy says the Monday to Friday daily rail service between Palmerston North and Wellington is a vital link between the two regions and that he applauds Horizons' decision to support it.

"Provincial New Zealand simply can't afford to lose rail infrastructure and services. We have enough challenges as it is, and public transport is a basic function necessary for our viability," he said.

"We have many residents throughout our District who catch the train from either Shannon or Levin to and from Wellington every day for work - without it they'd be stuck. And, we wouldn't want to lose them from our District if they were forced to move south. Of course, there are also all those who use the service to travel to meetings or events in Wellington."

Deputy Mayor Garry Good says that in interests of social and economic wellbeing of the Horowhenua District, there is strong support locally for the rail service to continue.

"The Capital Connection is reliable and convenient and a significant contributor to economic growth in this District. We appreciate Horizons acknowledging this by committing to the subsidy."

Horizons decision follows a meeting held with Minister of Transport Simon Bridges earlier this month, at which Minister Bridges encouraged the regional councils to put forward a funding proposal to contribute to the service.

The Capital Connection, which travels daily between Palmerston North and Wellington return, is the only service of its kind not currently subsidised by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

ENDS

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