Draft report indicates pared-back Auckland rail
September 3rd, 2009
Budget constraints for Auckland’s electric trains have prompted an officials group to propose a scaled-back project, with an initial purchase of 75 new railcars and the possibility of using a mix of old and new, including some electrics off the central North Island. The draft report offers a pragmatic solution for the electrification of Auckland’s rail, which has suffered the fate of many infrastructure projects with “scope creep.” Transport Minister Steven Joyce says he is disappointed with the report, raising the possibility supplementary funding could be found elsewhere.
The ARC had originally planned to seek tenders for 140 railcars, as part of the $1bn electrification project, paid for with the now-scrapped regional fuel tax. The official group identifies some $151m of additional spending on rail infrastructure, of which about $55m can’t be deferred. Total capacity will be reduced to 9,945 passengers from 13,720.
Mixing old and new trains is nothing new, with mixed fleets fairly standard around the world. Wellington is partly upgrading its fleet and the old assets will be sent for tarting up as new railcars are delivered. Joyce has told the officials to take another look at their proposals. Meantime, a public private partnership to fund the purchase of new rolling stock in Auckland, mooted by Joyce as an option, may not fit with Auckland’s immediate requirements.
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