Officials attack lack of help for rail plan
Councils say region needs new trains
Disappointment, puzzlement, or downright fury were some of the responses to the lack of funding provided for public transport, especially trains, for our region in the Government's latest Budget.
“I'm extremely disappointed by the lack of funding from central government towards the capital connection rail replacement,” said Horizons regional councillor Sam Ferguson.
“Horizons Regional Council along with Greater Wellington Regional Council had presented a plan to government on how to retain and enhance the rail connections for our region. And now, through the government Budget, we find out that the replacement of the train and improvement of the service is not funded.”
He said the existing capital connection is just for one train a day from Palmerston North to Wellington and back.
“The train is old and will likely reach end of life by 2028. We need new trains and more trains.
“The business case in front of government required new trains to be purchased next year to ensure they were delivered and operational before the current train was taken off the tracks. That is now at risk. This Government is overseeing the continued decline of passenger rail in this country, I'm disappointed for the community and the impact it will have over the coming years.”
His disappointment was shared by both the Wellington and Horizons regional councils. The new trains that will soon be needed to keep this service on the rails are battery powered on non-electric track, and were proposed by the councils in a business case paid for by Waka Kotahi.
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter and Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell said the Government's decision was: “Like the lights being turned off”.
“It's especially disappointing for commuters and surprising for our councils. But we're not giving up,” Ponter said.
“When enacted, our business case will significantly reduce transport emissions while providing for population growth and the replacement of aged rolling stock.”
Supported by Manawatu¯ Whanganui's seven mayors, as well as the eight mayors of the Wellington region, the business case recommends a $762 million dollar investment in a fleet of 22 fourcarriage, tri-mode trains, and associated infrastructure.
With funding commitments from Waka Kotahi, Horizons and Greater
A reliable, low-emissions rail service is the missing link for the increasing number of commuters living in Ka¯ piti, Horowhenua and Manawatu¯ Penny Gaylor, Ka¯piti Coast councillor and Environment Committee chair
Wellington, only $360m was needed from the Budget to enable the full investment.
The business case estimates every dollar spent will yield $1.83.
Use of trains from both Palmerston and Masterton into Wellington is expected to quadruple and double respectively in the next few years as more people move north and out of the capital.
“Given this is a health and climate Budget, it's incomprehensible that these trains are not being funded,” Keedwell said.
Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith and Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden agreed, calling the decision, “incredibly disappointing” and, “a blind spot” of the Budget.
Ka¯piti Coast councillor and Environment Committee chair Penny Gaylor said hybrid electric trains were “an elegant solution to a dirty problem the Government knows needs fixing”.
“A reliable, low-emissions rail service is the missing link for the increasing number of commuters living in Ka¯piti, Horowhenua and Manawatu¯.
“Their access to employment in Wellington, Porirua and Palmerston North is being stymied by ancient trains that won't last another five years. Businesses are being stifled by talk not turned into action.”
While recent funding to upgrade Kiwirail's Capital Connection carriages was encouraging, Ponter said the hybrid electric trains should have been part of the Budget's suite of initiatives to reduce emissions.
“These trains will enable the Wellington region to grow around our transport hubs in a way that protects the climate,” Ponter said.
KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive David Gordon is delighted with the Budget doling out money for KiwiRail.
“Budget 2022 keeps the rebuild of our national railway on track with $661.5m allocated for rail,” he said.
Of that $312.3m will help to continue the Government's commitment to raising the standard of the national rail network, while $349.2m will be used to complete the like-for-like replacement of KiwiRail's ageing locomotives and freight wagons.
“KiwiRail is working across the country, to improve tracks, bridges and other rail infrastructure, through the Rail Network Investment Programme.
“We are working to lift the standard of our national network to ensure it is resilient and reliable, after decades of underinvestment,” Gordon said.
It will allow KiwiRail to buy up to 29 new light-duty locomotives, specialist wagons and components which will make our wagon fleet more versatile.
“This funding marks the completion of our asset replacement and facility upgrade programme, which has already received $1.6 billion funding through Budgets 2019 to 2021.
“It is bringing KiwiRail's end-of-life locomotive and wagon fleet into the 21st century.”
“Budget 2022 lifts the Government's investment in KiwiRail to
$8.6b, allowing us to procure assets and undertake a range of rail projects,” he said.