Let this city lead the way and restore rail service

IT was heartening to read that Mayor Hawkins now thinks at least a trial of Dunedin Railways’ currently mothballed rolling stock could be put to good use on a commuter rail service (ODT, 12.5.20).

Another bonus would be that the staff would be back in employment. Of course, the Otago Regional Council would need to be ‘‘on board’’. This may not be straightforward given its chequered history of running public transport in the past.

Dunedin would be the first and only South Island city to have commuter rail services. Despite agitation, Christchurch has yet to see the light.

A major advantage is that Dunedin has a central railway station with only a short walk to the centre of town, university and the hospital.

There is plenty of space at the Mosgiel station for parkandride facilities to be established, as there is at Port Chalmers and Sawyers Bay. There could also be stops at

Wingatui and Abbotsford.

But why limit the service to commuters? Why not continue on to Allanton and have an airport connection with a shuttle service from there?

An airport served by a rail service would be another first, indeed for the whole country.

If a trial was to demonstrate promise then an application to the NZ Transport Agency for funding could be made to purchase Auckland Transport’s diesel railcars which will become surplus when electrification is extended further.

Another possibility, if the various councils further north are supportive, is a ChristchurchDunedin service. This would feature fantastic scenery such as the snowcapped Southern Alps on the Canterbury Plains to the unrivalled beauty of the coast from Dunedin to Oamaru.

P. Graham Pine Hill

MAY I compliment the mayor of Dunedin on his pitch to have commuter rail in and around Dunedin.

In my heyday, I was an inspecting ganger on the northern line, and know it well. People commuted in the day from places like Mihiwaka and Osborne.

The Mosgiel run might prove to be lucrative.

There has to be certainty. Given time, people will purchase property close to the service.

The big deal is to activate critical mass which would take at least 18 months to two years. If a service is planned, it would be expedient to lay on a minivan over this initial period. Building a business this way gives a lot more wriggleroom. Baby steps. David George

Cromwell

McIndoe obituary

I MET John McIndoe (Obituaries, 9.5.20) just twice. The first in 2005 as he and his wife, Eileen, invited me and agent Madelon White to celebrate the sale of their Waverley home, pending their move to

Mosgiel.

The second was a month or two later as I delivered some mail to their new home, and also introduced my wife.

John enjoyed people and was a great host. As we chatted, I told him I regretted my wife had not been able to enjoy his hospitality at the postsale gathering. He quietly retired to the kitchen and returned with four handsome glasses of bubbly, and retoasted the sale. I’ve never forgotten his generous gesture.

A report in your newspaper (100 Years Ago) praised the Prince of Wales during his visit for his ‘‘Manly good nature and gentlemanly consideration.’’ Qualities which certainly also applied to John — a true officer and a gentleman.

Allan Portis

Waverley ..................................

BIBLE READING: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6.21.