Media Release from The Campaign for Better Transport

20 April 2007

Aucklanders Respond to Electric Rail Petition

A petition aiming to demonstrate public support for electrification of the rail network is underway in Auckland.

Launched just two weeks ago to a packed meeting in Auckland, the Electrify Now! petition already has over 2,000 signatures, about half of which have been collected via the campaign website www.electrifynow.org.nz.

Campaign for Better Transport spokesperson Cameron Pitches says the petition is designed to reassure the Government that they will be well supported by voters if they decide to support electrification of Auckland’s rail network.

"Electric rail systems have been proven overseas to be faster, quieter and less polluting. To be a truly world class city, Auckland urgently needs electric trains," says Mr Pitches.

Volunteers have been collecting signatures at all major railway stations in Auckland. Commuters at Britomart station have been particularly supportive, signing at a rate of one every fifteen seconds during the peak evening rush hour.

"It is easy to convince people when you are shouting to be heard above the noise of the diesel trains as they idle at the platform," reckons Mr. Pitches.

"A lot of people seem to think that electrification is almost a certainty, but an announcement has been pending for about six months now. We are concerned that Auckland will lose this opportunity in the same way that we lost rapid light rail in the 1970s," said Mr Pitches, in reference to former Auckland mayor Sir Dove Myer-Robinson’s campaign.

The petition seeks a funding commitment and a timetable for electrification from central Government.

Despite initial costs of overhead wiring and signalling, about $180m, electric trains are more reliable and provide a significantly better return on investment than buying more diesel units. According to an Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) report presented to the Government last September, electric carriages are about half a million dollars cheaper than comparable diesel units.

"With the NZ dollar being so high at the moment, there has never been a better time to invest in the long-term transport future of Auckland," concludes Mr Pitches.

The petition is available for signing online at www.electrifynow.org.nz

[ends]

© Scoop Media