$91m cost scotches tourist train idea

THE idea for a tourist train between Westport and Hokitika will not go ahead, after KiwiRail concluded it would have required $91 million of investment.

A $250,000 study into the idea was funded by the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund and released in July 2018. KiwiRail commissioned consultants to conduct the study.

KiwiRail has only just released its report, requested by the Hokitika Guardian under the Official Information Act, and said it would not be taking the idea any further.

Chief operating officer Todd Moyle said while there was some demand, a tourist train on that route would struggle. Even a 5% drop in passenger numbers would make it unsustainable.

Significant investment would be needed, the building of facilities and upgrading the Hokitika to Greymouth rail line alone costing $45 million.

To upgrade the line all the way to Westport would push it up to $91.6 million, he said.

Upgrades to allow the train to travel at 70kmh would cost $5 million for culvert upgrades alone.

‘‘I appreciate that there would be wider economic benefits for the West Coast in establishing the service, but in KiwiRail’s view that has to start with the service being sustainable.’’

However, the study had been a valuable exercise, he said.

It looked at various options, including six and sevendayaweek services from Hokitika to Westport, and Greymouth to Westport.

Tickets prices mooted were $240 return, or $120 one way.

The report said to make it stack up, the train trip would need to be packaged with other tourist experiences, such as nature or heritage.

However, there were very few larger tourism operators on the West Coast with the resource capacity to work in true partnership with a potential KiwiRail tourist passenger service. — Greymouth Star