27 April 2016

Let KiwiRail compete for road dollars

National should let KiwiRail compete for funding from the enormous roading budget and scrap the two-tiered funding system which grossly favour costly highway projects, the Green Party said today.

The comments come following a report by KiwiRail showing it considered shutting down its entire freight business to meet the Government’s requirements to deliver a short-term profit.

“The $3 billion a year in National’s transport budget should be opened-up to be invested in rail, not just roads," said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“National's current system grossly favours investment in a few expensive motorways, and underinvests in New Zealand's rail system.

“The Government should be funding whatever transport project offers the best solution for shifting freight, reducing climate pollution, and making our roads safer – be that better rail or better roads.

“KiwiRail should not be forced to operate as a commercial enterprise, while National spends over two billion dollars a year on a few expensive highways with no demand for them to return a profit.

“The rail network removes over a million truck trips from our road each year, which means less congestion, less pollution, and safer roads. Not investing in rail is not an option," said Ms Genter.

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