Hamilton MPs Under Pressure Over Waikato Rail

The pressure on Hamilton MPs David Bennett and Tim MacIndoe to support Waikato commuter rail services will continue to build over the coming weeks, says sustainable transport group The Campaign for Better Transport.

The Campaign for Better Transport is spearheading the popular Waikato Trains NOW! campaign which recently presented a petition with 11,500 signatures calling for commuter trains between Hamilton and Downtown Auckland. Local National Party MPs are opposed to the train services commencing this year. However, Labour Party list MP Sue Moroney fully supports the petition and presented it to Parliament earlier this month.

This weekend the Campaign for Better Transport will invite the public to sign postcards urging the hold-out MPs along with Environment Waikato Councillors Paula Southgate and Norm Barker to actively support the Hamilton commuter rail service this year.

Campaign Manager Jon Reeves said, “The arguments of those opposing the trains commencing this year truly defies logic and their reasons are weakening dramatically and becoming more absurd.”

At a recent debate David Bennett MP claimed trains would be inefficient compared with cars. Mr Reeves challenged this, saying “A train will use about 200 litres of diesel, where as 80 odd private cars will use a lot more - approximately 1000 litres on the same Hamilton to Auckland journey, as well as adding to traffic congestion. Loss of productivity is also a result as drivers cannot use laptops or even read a newspaper.”

“It has got to the point where the people of Hamilton and the Waikato support the trains along with the Hamilton City Council, large and small businesses in the Waikato, and even the Newmarket Business Association in Auckland are behind the campaign. Bennett and MacIndoe, along with a luke warm response from Environment Waikato, are becoming increasingly isolated with their view.” Reeves said.

ENDS

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