Media release from Lyndy McIntyre,
Candidate for Raumati/Paekakariki Ward in 2007 KCDC elections

Regional Rail Package On The Right Track

"Today's announcement of a $500 regional rail package is on the right track and will benefit Kapiti's rail commuters," said Lyndy McIntyre, council candidate for the Raumati/Paekakariki ward and spokesperson for Kapiti Transport Action Group today.

"Although there is nothing new in the package, and funding is still to be finally confirmed, the package reveals what is planned for Kapiti and the rest of the region until 2010. It also shows our regional council, central government and OnTrack are working together. "

Lyndy McIntyre said the package also revealed the gaps.

"All the items on the list for the Kapiti line - like fixing up the tracks and signalling and a long-awaited station for Raumati commuters - are very welcome indeed," she said.

"Also welcome is the acknowledgement from central government that the way to address climate change is by reducing vehicle emissions - something which can only be done in Kapiti by moving commuters from road to rail."

Lyndy McIntyre said two gaps in the strategy were inadequate funding for the Pukerua Bay -Paekakariki stretch of the line and ensuring there was enough capacity for future demand.

"The plan for the single-tracked stretch between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki is a band aid solution which will not eradicate the current bottleneck and the 70 carriages GWRC is ordering for the region will simply not be enough for future demand," she said.

Lyndy McIntyre said a modern, efficient, fast and affordable rail service was one of the key issues in the election.

"Four and half million passengers travel on the Kapiti line every year," she said. "Last year peak hour passenger volume growth on the Kapiti line was over 11%. That is five times the forecast growth," she said.

"To keep volumes growing we have to get our rail service right and that means double- tracking all the way to Wellington and ordering enough carriages to ensure increased numbers of passengers are accommodated."

ENDS

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