Mothballing rail lines = emergency risks and loss of skilled staff

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) has slammed the government’s defeatist attitude to the New Zealand rail network, saying mothballing lines puts emergency routes at risk and opens the door to a further loss of skilled workers.

“Transport Minister Steven Joyce should focus on working with KiwiRail on an economic development plan for the rail network, that looks to the long-term, rather than a process of ‘managing’ it into extinction by systematic mothballing,” Wayne Butson, RMTU General Secretary said.

“Once a line is mothballed it is very hard for it to be brought back into operation.

“The Rotorua Branch is a case in point. The line has been mothballed so long that the cost of reinstatement will be prohibitive as kilometres of rail are missing through it disappearing.”

“Many railway lines are needed as backup alternative routes in emergencies, such as the North Wairarapa line in respect of the Manawatu gorge.”

“But once a line is mothballed it becomes too dangerous for rail staff to operate on it when it is needed for use at short notice. I would expect our members to decline to use a mothballed line until it was checked inch by inch by track inspectors.”

“By introducing an air of decay about the future of the national rail network the government is opening the door wider to a further loss of skilled rail workers to Australia.”

“New Zealand’s ability to have world class transport infrastructure means a commitment to a quality rail network as a key part of the national transport logistics supply chain.”

“Rail’s strength is its national network, and just like humans amputation of its limbs will end its mobility and flexibility to meet demand in the future,” Wayne Butson said.

ENDS

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