Rail upgrade shunned
The absence of funding for a fleet of hybrid electric trains in the Budget has stunned elected officials in the lower North Island.
The trains, which are battery powered on non-electric tracks, were proposed by Horizons and Greater Wellington regional councils in a business case paid for by Waka Kotahi, and supported by sevenmayors in the wider Manawatū, and eight in the Wellington region.
Horizons chairwoman Rachel Keedwell said the Government’s decision to turn its back on New Zealand’s first low-emission, long-distance rail services was incomprehensible.
‘‘Given this is a health and climate budget, it’s incomprehensible that these trains are not being funded.’’
The business case recommended a $762 million investment in a fleet of 22 four-car, tri-mode trains, and associated infrastructure.
With funding commitments from Waka Kotahi, Horizons and Greater Wellington, $360m was needed from the Budget to enable the full investment.
The business case estimated every dollar spent would yield $1.83. It predicts the trains will
‘‘This service is not just a nice to have but a necessary service we have had to continuously save. Without government support . . . the continuation of this service is in real question.’’
Rachel Keedwell
Horizons chairwoman
quadruple peak-time services between Palmerston North and Wellington on the Manawatū line and double them between Masterton and the capital on the Wairarapa line.
Kidwell said the Palmerston North to Wellington Capital Connection commuter service had proven patronage that would only increase with the residential growth being experienced in Palmerston North, Manawatū and Horowhenua.
‘‘The ratepayers across all of these districts have invested in this opportunity and will continue to do so – we just need government to do its bit.
‘‘This service is not just a nice to have but a necessary service we have had to continuously save.
‘‘Without government support ... the continuation of this service is in real question.’’
She said the project would still be pursued among the partners. It was key to get the tender process under way.
Her sentiment was shared by Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith and Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden who said the decision to not update the fleet was a Budget ‘‘blind spot’’.
Greater Wellington chairman Daran Ponter said recent funding to upgrade the Capital Connection carriages was encouraging but the hybrid electric
Three-hundred-and-fifty dollars. That is what every worker who earns $70,000 or under will see in their bank account by the end of August. Ultimately, it is the part of the Budget that impacts the vast majority of Kiwis.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson revealed the support to tackle the high cost of living in his Budget package yesterday.
It will offer an estimated 2.1 million people $27 a week, paid in three monthly instalments from August 1. The payment, totalling $350, will be for people who are not eligible for the Winter Energy Payment.
Stuff visited Palmerston North supermarkets after the announcement, but Budget 2022 was far from shoppers’minds.
Instead, the mood was one of frustration and survival.
People were dedicating all of their energy after work to making sure the car had enough fuel and the pantry had the bare basics.
Few of them were aware of the Budget drawn up inWellington that was set to relieve that.
Outside Countdown Awapuni, Linda Garrood was walking out with a loaf of Vogel bread and a bag of Havana coffee beans for her son. ‘‘I’mgetting
trains should have been part of the Budget’s suite of initiatives to reduce emissions.
‘‘These trains will enable the Wellington region to grow around our transport hubs in a way that protects the climate,’’ he said.
Horizons councillor Sam Ferguson said the Capital Connection train was old and would unlikely be able to run by 2028.
The business case in front of the Government required new trains to be purchased next year to ensure they were delivered and operational before the current one was taken off the tracks. He said that was now at risk. ‘‘This Government is overseeing the continued decline of passenger rail in this country. I’m disappointed for the community and the impact it will have over the coming years.’’