Call To Scrap Inter-Island Rail Freight
March 5th, 2009
The Govt should scrap plans to replace the inter-island rail ferries with vessels only able to carry cars and trucks. Cubic Transport Services GM, Dave Anderson, believes it would be more efficient and better for the environment if inter-island rail freight was instead carried by coastal ship with rail relegated to concentrating on hauling freight over medium and long haul distances within either island. Anderson says all urgent inter-island freight movement should go by road. “The passenger traffic is understandable as well as the vehicles because there will always be a need for urgent deliveries inter-island by truck.”
Changes could benefit rail. Anderson believes reconfiguring rail freight operations to remain within each island would in fact aid the development of the rail freight sector not harm it. This is because the money saved from not having to buy purpose built rail ferries could instead go to help fund other rail service and infrastructure upgrades such as more passing loops, other track improvements and replacing obsolete rolling stock. With the Govt signalling there will be little room for additional spending in this year’s budget, he believes the time is right to examine the workings of the freight transport sector nationally. This will ensure money is invested where it will provide the greatest benefit.
QUOTABLE: This would be good opportunity to focus spending more wisely and change the dynamics of the NZ freight industry long term. – Dave Anderson
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