Monday, 29 May 2006

Copeland: Keep the Tranz Alpine in New Zealand hands

United Future tourism and transport spokesman, Gordon Copeland, is concerned by reports that Toll New Zealand is considering selling the Tranz Alpine and Tranz Coastal services to an overseas company.

"The Tranz Alpine is one of New Zealand's most iconic and scenic train trips and it concerns me to think that Kiwi companies could be excluded, " Mr Copeland said. "It would be great to see these important tourism assets back in New Zealand ownership."

Toll New Zealand is looking for a buyer for the two services and is reported to have said that it will only sell to someone already operating scenic train journeys.

"I would like to see the ownership of the Tranz Alpine and similar tourism assets kept in New Zealand hands.

"Investment is needed and there may be New Zealand-owned companies who are willing to own and operate this vital part of our tourism transport network. If so I hope Toll will not rule them out of the sale process", said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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