14 September 2004

Rail Strategy on Right Track

“The Government’s draft rail strategy to 2014 released today, is on the right track”, said Cr Margaret Shields, Chairperson of Greater Wellington Regional Council.

“Wellington needs its urban rail services to be retained and enhanced over the long term. The proposed government rail strategy endorses this view and suggests ongoing rail support for our rail network”.

Wellington urban rail services carry over 10 million passengers annually and this number has been increasing by about 2% a year for the last 13 years. Greater Wellington is soon to announce its proposals to replace and refurbish the current urban rail rolling stock. The government’s rail strategy clearly supports the retention of urban passenger rail in Wellington and suggests ongoing funding support to assist Greater Wellington to achieve this.

“As we are about to finalise a long term contract with Toll NZ for the Wellington urban rail services it is heartening to know that government policy is right behind us”, said Cr Shields.

“This gives us the mandate we need to assure Toll NZ that government funding, through Transfund New Zealand, will be available throughout the length of the contract”.

ENDS

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