Wellington mayors should follow public on rail
11 December 2001

Green MP Sue Kedgley said today that Wellington mayors should get behind the proposed Regional Council's joint venture partnership for rail following a poll showing massive support for the project.

A poll released today by the Wellington Regional Council found that 67 percent of the public support the proposal for a joint venture purchase of Wellington passenger rail service.

"It's time the mayors stopped trying to undermine this project and started working with the Regional Council to ensure the survival of Wellington's rail commuter service," said the Green Party's Transport spokesperson.

"All the mayors and the Regional Council banded together in Auckland to secure the future of rail there. Wellington needs to follow their example."

Ms Kedgley said the Government also had an important role to play in supporting the project - by introducing legislation to allow the joint venture to go ahead and by buying back the region's rail corridor, as they have already done in Auckland.

"The Green Party has been pressuring the Government all year to buy back the nationwide rail corridor as the best way to revitalise the rail network, but so far we have seen little action or commitment.

"Wellingtonians use and love their commuter trains. The Wellington mayors and the Government should be doing everything they can to make sure commuter rail in our capital city not only survives but thrives."

ENDS

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