Advocacy group The Future Is Rail is calling for an urgent expansion of the Palmerston North to Wellington Capital Connection rail service, pointing out that the train sits idle for nearly 9 hours a day while New Zealanders struggle with a fuel crisis.

Data reveals that out of 8,760 hours in a year, the Capital Connection is operational for just 960 hours, meaning the service is currently idle 89% of the time.

"We have a fuel crisis, yet one of our most efficient transport assets is sitting idle much of the time," says Dr. Paul Callister, spokesperson for The Future Is Rail. "Even when pulled by diesel locomotives, trains use far less fuel than fossil-fuelled cars. Leaving these carriages stabled while Kiwis face high travel costs is a massive, missed opportunity."

The Capital Connection connects cities and towns between Wellington and Palmerston North that are home to more than 400,000 New Zealanders.

The group is calling for an additional daily return trip and a service on weekends and public holidays to be started immediately. The train currently sits at Wellington Station for nearly nine hours during the day, which is more than enough time for a return journey to Palmerston North.

"Rail should be for everyone. Expanded services would allow grandparents to visit grandchildren, patients to reach medical appointments, and businesses to connect with customers. Most of this travel occurs outside of peak hours, making the current daytime stabling of the fleet even more illogical, especially when we are trying to conserve fuel," says Dr Callister.

"Running the Capital Connection more frequently and further afield is a common-sense solution for New Zealand’s energy goals. It gives households more options, reduces the need to import fuel, and finally makes use of the infrastructure the public already owns," says Dr Callister. "It's a no-brainer."

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