Rail link response

Ohaupo resident Geoff Orchard continues to make incorrect claims about the proposed subsidy for the Hamilton-Auckland passenger rail service.

The facts are that the Waikato Regional Council is proposing only Hamilton residents be charged the average $25 per household annual subsidy cost. It has NO proposal to charge Mr Orchard, or his fellow Waipa residents ANY amount for this purpose.

Equally Hamilton City Council is not charging anyone for that subsidy – it is the regional council proposing that, although HCC supports it, as happens with all public transport in the city.

By far the biggest ‘‘subsidy’’ proposed for the rail service is the Government’s; it made an election commitment to fund $20 million towards the establishment of such a service, and has indicated to both councils that it continues with this commitment.

If Mr Orchard doesn’t believe the patronage figures I have used, I suggest he ask the regional council for a copy of the professional patronage survey that was completed a week ago. My figures are not made up.

He could also usefully have a look at the regional council study showing the Southern Motorway congestion, currently starting in the vicinity of Drury, creeping southwards by about a kilometre a year – or he could hop in his car and try driving regularly into Auckland city.

Cr Dave Macpherson

Hamilton