THOUGHTLESS CARRIAGE
GIVEAWAY ROBS RAIL DEVELOPMENT
Auckland Transport
has sold refurbished passenger train carriages valued at
$190 million to Mozambique for a pittance of around $5
million, says New Zealand First.
“This is a sad loss to
New Zealand. These carriages were fully rebuilt with a
30-year life expectancy and now we’ve lost them after less
than 10 years’ service,” says Commerce Spokesperson
Fletcher Tabuteau.
“The carriages could have been used
elsewhere but that did not happen as the government ignores
provincial New Zealand by failing to invest in the
development of passenger rail.
“Better use for the
carriages would have been for an inter-regional passenger
service or new suburban train services in cities like
Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga and Hamilton.
“This
government is seriously lacking vision for rail transport in
New Zealand,” says Mr Tabuteau.
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