Kāpiti Coast commuter rail campaigner Gwynn Compton says the Government’s announcement of $29.2m from its Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to support 1,000 new homes in Ōtaki illustrates the need for it to also fast track the associated commuter rail infrastructure and new trains necessary to ensure public transport keeps pace with the rapid population growth in the lower North Island's western corridor from Kāpiti through to Palmerston North.

“While the announcement of $29.2 million to help deliver the necessary roading and water infrastructure to support new homes in Ōtaki is welcome, the Government’s continued refusal to fund the urgently needed commuter rail infrastructure for commuters north of Waikanae remains inexplicable, especially when much of the new development in Ōtaki will take place within easy walking distance of the railway station,” says Mr Compton.

“In the face significant socio-economic challenges in Ōtaki as well as the wider climate crisis - both of which are linked to car-centric transport infrastructure decisions - the Government needs to step up now with the $360m, as recommended by all of local government in the lower North Island and its own transport agency Waka Kotahi, to fund the new tri-mode trains needed to expand the capacity, reach, and frequency of commuter rail services between Wellington and Palmerston North.

“Waiting another year to dangle commuter rail funding it as an election bribe in 2023 simply isn’t good enough. The Government has ample capital funding available today. Given the likely time frame and possible delays in tendering and procurement of these new trains as other countries step up their own investments in new rail rolling stock, the Government needs to get this process started now to get the new tri-mode trains in operation as soon as possible instead of continually kicking our communities’ public transport needs down the track.”

While Gwynn Compton is a Kāpiti Coast District councillor, these views are his personal opinions and are not those of the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

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