Convenience, comfort, cost and carbon: what’s the best way to travel, save money and cut emissions?11/2/2022
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The #SaveOurTrains campaign asking the Government and KiwiRail to back the continuation of axed national passenger rail services continues to grow with more than 4,500 people signing an online petition. The campaign was started by members of the public who were concerned about KiwiRail’s announcement in December to pull out of providing same day scheduled passenger services on both islands. Spokesperson, Michael Nicholson, said: “KiwiRail’s decision decimates the limited national network we had. It leaves us with disconnected urban services and large parts of the country unserved by rail. It just isn’t good enough, especially when the Government talks so much about regional economic development and climate action.” Spokesperson, Paul Callister, said: “We need to make bold decisions around the future of public transport if we’re really serious about making a dent in CO2 emissions. National passenger rail needs to be part of the solution. But it’s also a about creating a service that meets the needs of local communities. The first step is to save what we have.” The petition to Save Our National Passenger Rail Network reads: We call on the Government and KiwiRail to commit to maintaining existing intercity passenger rail services. Furthermore, we ask for a comprehensive national strategy for future passenger rail services built around concern for climate action and economic development. The petition to Save Our National Passenger Rail Network can be found at: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/p/saveourtrains Media Contacts: Victor Billot victor@allrailways.co.nz 022 479 1786 Patrick Rooney patrick@allrailways.co.nz 06 880 0234 or 022 154 9119 In a guest post for Greater Auckland, #SaveOurTrains Spokesperson Michael Nicholson takes a look at what passenger rail in the North Island could be with vision and planning. Read article here: Long distance passenger rail - Greater Auckland The Public Transport Forum recently took some time to consider the technology and systems that might envisaged as part of a reinvigorated regional passenger rail system.
See: Regional Passenger Rail Network Rebirth | Public Transport Forum NZ The recent announcement by KiwiRail that the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific services will be replaced with multi-day experiences from July 2022 has been greeted by concern from the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).
The proposal, dubbed “Project Restart ‘22” would mean the end of regular passenger service on both the Auckland to Wellington and Picton to Christchurch and marks just the latest stage in the decline of what was once an extensive passenger rail service which serviced most of New Zealand. The CBT urges the government to consider a funding package that would enable the continuation of both the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific services as daily passenger services able to be used by passengers to get around the various towns and cities along the Auckland to Wellington and Picton to Christchurch corridors. View: Campaign for Better Transport Concerned About Project Restart ‘22 – The Campaign For Better Transport After running for nearly 100 years between Auckland and Wellington train services have been canceled by KiwiRail. Read more at: Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations | Newshub
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