Offer a train service

Tuesday’s paper contained a suggestion of a roll-on roll-off (RORO) service through the Remutaka tunnel.

Has thought been given to a RORO service for the 330km journey between Picton and Christchurch? Unless there are insurmountable clearance problems, a train carrying 30-40 heavy trucks would take about the same time

as driving along State Highway 1.Such a service would reduce the chances of further road accidents.

The cost of the diesel a vehicle uses on the 300km+ journey is presumably around 200 litres. And road user charges must be at least another $50. Watching truck dashcam footage, the average journey must have at least one or more ‘‘heart-stoppers’’ by the time the driver has arrived.

Consider the advantages of RORO: a passenger carriage attached to the train would afford a comfortable rest for the driver; it would pay for itself by providing coffee, pies and card decks; drivers would have access to on-board comfort stops, instead of pulling off the road – and 40 exhaust pipes are replaced by that of a single locomotive.

Pete Herridge, Wallaceville