Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

There Is Enough Time For A Commuter Rail Trial

Workers at Dunedin Railways have rejected Dunedin City Council claims there is not enough time for a feasibility study and commuter rail trial this year.

Keep Dunedin Rail Rolling spokesperson Dave Kearns says workers at DRL were bitterly disappointed the proposed feasibility study and commuter passenger rail trial was considered impossible to do in the time available by the DCC.

Dunedin city councillors voted against funding a feasibility study this year while meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Kearns says there are seven weeks remaining before 20 July 2020, the latest a six week trial could start and not interfere with peak seasonal use of the rail line by KiwiRail.

“Many of our supporters have experience in the establishment and operation of rail services,” says Mr Kearns.

“Our view is the administrative and technical hurdles could be overcome in time with the necessary will and drive.”

Mr Kearns says it is a tragedy that despite the support of councillors and the public, the problem was one of bureaucracy and a negative Board and Management at DRL.

“These are extraordinary times and we need an extraordinary response. What is lacking is determined leadership.”

Mr Kearns says it was a bizarre situation when the only urgency seemed to be closing down operations by the DRL Board and senior management.

“They are working against the publicly stated goals of their owners and in our view this amounts to sabotage of jobs and a precious locally owned asset.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr Kearns says the possibility of commuter rail trials next year or further into the future was not viewed with confidence.

He says the reality is that the operational expertise and skill base will be gone, and the mothballed rolling stock will be in no condition to resume operations.

“There will be no ability to run a trial then.”

Mr Kearns says the campaign was not over and would be ramping up pressure on the DCC and DRL management to justify their positions.

He says workers were extremely frustrated to have the backing of the DCC in principle, but in practice to have been left high and dry.

DRL workers are facing redundancy on 30 June.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.