Latest news with #KiwiRail
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
‘Easy Win': ECan To Push For Rangiora To Rolleston Commuter Train
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Environment Canterbury has voted unanimously to lobby KiwiRail for a passenger rail service from Rangiora to Rolleston. The idea of a commuter train taking passengers from Rangiora and Rolleston into Christchurch is gathering steam, but not everyone is on board. Environment Canterbury (ECan) voted to approach KiwiRail to assist in preparing a business case for a Rangiora to Rolleston passenger rail service. Councillor Joe Davies moved the motion, which was passed unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. He said a Rangiora to Rolleston service would be ''an easy win'', compared to the proposed mass rapid transit rail service in Christchurch, as the infrastructure is already in place. ''We can't wait 20 or 30 years, we need it in five to 10 years. ''There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set up costs compared to the mass rapid transit proposal and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' The proposed route covers 54.7km and links Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch and serves 13 stations. As housing developments have grown, so has the commuting time to the city. Cr Davies said once the service was in place, a mass rapid transit service could be built off it. The service could easily be extended to link with towns like Amberley, Ashburton and Timaru, and into Otago and Southland using existing rail infrastructure. ''Greater Christchurch is the population centre so that's where it needs to start,'' Cr Davies said. Under the proposal, chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs and Cr Davies will meet with other councils to prepare a position statement before meeting with KiwiRail's board in September. ECan would fund the business case and has set aside funding in year four of the 2024/34 Long Term Plan for a possible rail project. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he is interested in the idea. ''We regularly get submissions from residents who like the idea of rail from Rangiora to Christchurch. ''I will be interested to hear the response from KiwiRail.'' KiwiRail executive general manager passenger, Tracey Goodall, said there is a clear process for considering the viability of passenger rail. ''It starts with the local councils, who understand their communities' public transport needs best, and talking to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. ''KiwiRail is happy to provide rail expertise into any business case, including rolling stock (carriage) availability and costs.'' Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said previous reports have indicated commuter rail on the main trunk line is unworkable due the Addington station not being close to where the majority of people work these days and the lack of a passing lane to accommodate freight. ''Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECan should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased – putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Rail Minister Winston Peters is overseas and unavailable for comment. Opposition transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said Labour supports the use of rail as ''an environmentally friendly'' option for passengers and freight. ''If a business case provided strong rationale Labour would be open to supporting passenger rail from Rangiora to Rolleston.'' Longtime rail advocate John McCaskey said the service could easily be extended into the Hurunui district. ''Count the number of people travelling in a car on their own. If they could park up at Waipara and take the train you would be on to a winner. ''Waipara is sitting there waiting to be used with the infrastructure and the terminus, and we have the feeder lines from Hawarden and Scargill – everything is still there.'' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he supported looking into any public transport options that would assist the region as it continues to grow. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton backed any conversation that advances the potential for a Mass Rapid Transit solution connecting Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch City. 'It is important that all MRT options, including rail and other transport modalities, be thoroughly weighed against each other in terms of costs, benefits, and long-term viability. The work on this is currently underway with the Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP). 'I look forward to Canterbury Regional Council coming back to GCP members with options and intel they gain through their kōrero with KiwiRail. This will help inform our wider thinking about public transport in the region.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
‘Easy Win': ECan To Push For Rangiora To Rolleston Commuter Train
The idea of a commuter train taking passengers from Rangiora and Rolleston into Christchurch is gathering steam, but not everyone is on board. Environment Canterbury (ECan) voted to approach KiwiRail to assist in preparing a business case for a Rangiora to Rolleston passenger rail service. Councillor Joe Davies moved the motion, which was passed unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. He said a Rangiora to Rolleston service would be ''an easy win'', compared to the proposed mass rapid transit rail service in Christchurch, as the infrastructure is already in place. ''We can't wait 20 or 30 years, we need it in five to 10 years. ''There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set up costs compared to the mass rapid transit proposal and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' The proposed route covers 54.7km and links Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch and serves 13 stations. As housing developments have grown, so has the commuting time to the city. Cr Davies said once the service was in place, a mass rapid transit service could be built off it. The service could easily be extended to link with towns like Amberley, Ashburton and Timaru, and into Otago and Southland using existing rail infrastructure. ''Greater Christchurch is the population centre so that's where it needs to start,'' Cr Davies said. Under the proposal, chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs and Cr Davies will meet with other councils to prepare a position statement before meeting with KiwiRail's board in September. ECan would fund the business case and has set aside funding in year four of the 2024/34 Long Term Plan for a possible rail project. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he is interested in the idea. ''We regularly get submissions from residents who like the idea of rail from Rangiora to Christchurch. ''I will be interested to hear the response from KiwiRail.'' KiwiRail executive general manager passenger, Tracey Goodall, said there is a clear process for considering the viability of passenger rail. ''It starts with the local councils, who understand their communities' public transport needs best, and talking to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. ''KiwiRail is happy to provide rail expertise into any business case, including rolling stock (carriage) availability and costs.'' Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said previous reports have indicated commuter rail on the main trunk line is unworkable due the Addington station not being close to where the majority of people work these days and the lack of a passing lane to accommodate freight. ''Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECan should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased - putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Rail Minister Winston Peters is overseas and unavailable for comment. Opposition transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said Labour supports the use of rail as ''an environmentally friendly'' option for passengers and freight. ''If a business case provided strong rationale Labour would be open to supporting passenger rail from Rangiora to Rolleston.'' Longtime rail advocate John McCaskey said the service could easily be extended into the Hurunui district. ''Count the number of people travelling in a car on their own. If they could park up at Waipara and take the train you would be on to a winner. ''Waipara is sitting there waiting to be used with the infrastructure and the terminus, and we have the feeder lines from Hawarden and Scargill - everything is still there.'' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he supported looking into any public transport options that would assist the region as it continues to grow. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton backed any conversation that advances the potential for a Mass Rapid Transit solution connecting Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch City. "It is important that all MRT options, including rail and other transport modalities, be thoroughly weighed against each other in terms of costs, benefits, and long-term viability. The work on this is currently underway with the Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP). "I look forward to Canterbury Regional Council coming back to GCP members with options and intel they gain through their kōrero with KiwiRail. This will help inform our wider thinking about public transport in the region." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Rail shut down for Auckland and Wellington over long weekend
Rail services in the capital and Auckland are grinding to a halt this long weekend for maintenance, disrupting travel for tens thousand of people, including rugby fans. In Auckland services are off from today. Buses will replace trains allow for ongoing up-graded need for the City Rail Link Project's that already caused significant upheaval. In Wellington he rail shut down is from tomorrow, which could prove challenging for the tens of thousands of people trying to get to the Sky Stadium for the big game between Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes. Kiwi Rail's chief metro and capital programme officer Dave Gorden spoke to Lisa Owen.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
