National showing true colours on rail

Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s obsession with forcing traffic on to New Zealand’s roads has been exposed again by the Government’s lack of commitment to regional rail services, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Darren Hughes said today.

“The National-Act Government is a reluctant player in the rail debate and it constantly gives the impression of wanting to see it fail,” Darren Hughes said.

“Apart from wanting to close regional rail lines, National has not come up with a single new idea to support rail since coming into office.

“Closing regional lines is what Toll had planned to do and it is one of the reasons Labour bought Kiwirail.

“We didn't want to see future options for New Zealand's growth being choked off through a lack of foresight.

“A modern rail system is vital for New Zealand’s economic future. With the rising cost of petrol and the threat of global climate change, New Zealanders know we have to use more efficient transport methods.

“This is especially true for regional economies. The communities who have already lost their rail services know the pain that closures can cause.”

Darren Hughes said New Zealand must be the only country in the world that had an economic stimulus package that deliberately excluded rail.

“The National Freight Study said that New Zealand's freight task would increase by up to 75% in the next 20 years. If rail freight is not expanded and coastal shipping is neglected, that forces all freight onto roads,” Darren Hughes said.

“That would mean the so-called roads of national significance will be congested in no time at all.

“The Government’s new Infrastructure Plan did not have rail as one of the top five priorities.

“Once these lines are gone it is very difficult to bring them back. The early rail builders in NZ had vision, something this National Government seems proud of not having.”

ENDS

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