Aghast at decision to mothball Dunedin Railways

I AM from Auckland, and I have visited Dunedin on numerous occasions.

I have always been impressed by Dunedin’s ‘‘can do’’ attitude and wonderful atmosphere. However, I have come to realise that the city has been infiltrated with some corporate germs. These are the soulless, passionless, unimaginative types that always see cost, but never see value and opportunity.

I am horrified to learn of the fate of Dunedin Railways. I was more horrified to learn that funding from the tourism recovery fund was not applied for.

Does the council not think Dunedin Railways is not a key tourist attraction? The Taieri Gorge is an icon!

Dunedin Railways should be opening for the school holidays and weekends. Possibly looking at weekend trains to Christchurch and charters for tourist companies through the week, and of course some commuter traffic. Even leasing some of the equipment and staff to KiwiRail is worth exploring.

This major contributor to the wider Dunedin economy should be retained, cherished and protected at all costs. One would think that a green mayor would understand the value of rail. Niall Robertson

Auckland

Bus stop

THE openair office in Moray Pl (ODT, 22.6.20) is the only outdoor bus office in our major cities. How passengers alighting or entering the bus after waiting in the frost that day must have felt in those cold conditions.

Dunedin is the laughing stock of the country with no indoor office where people can sit in comfort, warm to ring a taxi or go to the toilet.

What a disgrace to our beautiful city. On behalf of our city, I apologise to visitors for not offering a comfortable office.

G. Donaldson

St Kilda