Southerner’s return ‘unlikely’

THE return of the Southerner passenger service is ‘‘highly unlikely’’, the man who championed the idea says.

Timaru Mayor Damon Odey pushed for the idea in 2016, and last year the National government announced a $50,000 funding grant to investigate the possibility.

The idea was welcomed in Dunedin, where there have been calls over the years for the return of the service that ran six days a week between Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill between 1970 and 2002.

But asked this week where the investigation was at, Mr Odey said: ‘‘Based on discussions to date with KiwiRail and officials from government transport agencies, the reinstatement of the Southerner passenger service is highly unlikely.’’

The Government appears lukewarm on the idea. Transport Minister Phil Twyford has only said he supports an increase in public transport.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said he could only assume the business case for the service did not stand up.

‘‘No matter how desirable it might have been, it had to stand up commercially at some level. It clearly doesn’t meet the threshold.’’

Mr Cull said while it would have been great to reinvigorate the service, there was no point ‘‘flogging a dead horse’’.

The transport landscape was ‘‘very fluid’’ with new policies from the Government.

‘‘I think we need to be focusing on what the opportunities and possibilities are.’’

Mr Odey responded to Otago Daily

Times questions in a statement.

He said the funding agreement had been put in place between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.

The work had always been scheduled to be completed sometime in 2018.

The forum was now exploring options for an extension of KiwiRail’s tourism passenger services, for example, passenger services to major events.

Asked about the issue, a KiwiRail spokeswoman said although there had been some interest in reinstating the service, KiwiRail had received no formal proposal. It was awaiting the findings of a feasibility report and business case.

Asked if the Government supported reinstating the Southerner, Mr Twyford said it supported an increased focus on public transport and reducing reliance on singleoccupant vehicles.

Rail had an important role to play in that, and the government policy statement on land transport would allow the National Land Transport Fund to invest for the first time in existing and new commuter rail services to the regions.

‘‘We also support trialling such services to help housing and employment opportunities for those in the regions.’’