31 JULY 2015
Time for the Government to Wake Up Over Rail
The government needs to recognise the importance of our state-owned rail and give KiwiRail the support it deserves, says
New Zealand First.
“New Zealand First absolutely supports Mainfreight’s chairman Bruce Plested’s criticism of the government’s lack of a
national transport plan and its treatment of KiwiRail,” says New Zealand First Spokesperson on Transport Denis O’Rourke.
“This government, along with Treasury, have treated the New Zealand rail system appallingly, ever since it was sold in
1992 and repurchased by the government out of private hands in 2006.
“There’s a lack of transport infrastructure and planning for roading, rail and ports.
“The government continues to restrict rail from receiving the scale of investment it needs to fulfil its role.
“Mr Plested is right when he said that without rail, our opportunities for passenger transport are restricted, our
desperation for more roads intensifies to the point of impossibility, and our options for port locations become
hopelessly restricted.
“Treasury’s advice to the government this year, recommending closing major parts of the rail network, will be a disaster
for New Zealand. Exactly the opposite needs to happen.
“New Zealand First wants to see a single fund for land transport and a comprehensive strategy which includes both our
state roads and railway systems developed.
“A new approach is needed and the government must commit to rebuilding our rail as a modern, efficient and commercially
viable alternative to our roads,” says Mr O’Rourke
ENDS