A billion dollars for Kiwirail !!!

[David Benton]

"Investing in rail
Rail has huge benefits for New Zealanders' wellbeing, including unlocking regional economic growth, reducing emissions and traffic congestion and preventing deaths and injuries on our roads. The Coalition Government is revitalising rail, with a substantial investment in KiwiRail, regional rail and the Auckland City Rail Link.

Budget 2019 and the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) provide $1 billion to support the redevelopment of KiwiRail. This includes $375 million for new wagons and locomotives, $331 million to invest in track and other supporting infrastructure and $35 million to begin the process of replacing current ferries that are nearing the end of their lives."
https://budget.govt.nz/budget/2019/well ... hQK08op8S0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This has been rumoured to be coming , but I was expecting about 1/2 this. Vey good news indeed, especially from a government under pressure to provide social spending, and produce a surplus, or at least balance the books.

[RRspatch]

I keep getting a timeout error when trying to access the report you linked to.

Any mention of electrification? New electric locomotives for Kiwirail for freight or perhaps even closing the Hamilton to Papakura gap for commuter rail? I do remember reading some time ago that KiwiRail wanting to scrap the electrics and de-energize the catenary.

[David Benton]

Try this link. Perhaps the govt needed to include a few million for their website!.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1905/S ... cyGlwnfaTM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The new govt has already funded rehabbing the existing electrics , and keeping the existing electrification open. Electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe has also already been approved.
Much of this money will go to regional lines, where virtually nothing has been spent for decades. They would not be suitable for electrification in the near future.
The money for electrification would probably come from a climate change vote , rather than railway vote. (Vote is what they call budget items , as they are voted for by caucus ,pushed by different ministers).I can't foresee it until after the next election , and it would depend on an overall carbon reducing strategy, rather than from a railway point of view. Probably depends how well the Green party does in the next Election.

[David Benton]

Kiwirail boss on what needs to be done .
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/113160 ... jceY4s3PHI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[David Benton]

The writer of this article seems to think Kiwirail passenger trains are subsidised , they actually run at a profit. However he is correct about the ticket prices , especially compared to bus and airfares.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/kiwi-tra ... bsidise-it" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They need more carriages , the Northern Explorer only carries around 200 passengers or so . Making it daily would spread costs.

[David Benton]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinio ... 4SlMoatOXw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Exciting times as Budget investment gets rail back on track

[David Benton]

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/06/06/6 ... dHH8gSjZn0#
Minister signals further KiwiRail spend
"The government is planning more investment in KiwiRail beyond the $1 billion allocated in this year's budget.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the two-year funding was enough to make up for historic under-investment in rail infrastructure but to be transformational, the state-owned enterprise KiwiRail would need more money."

[David Benton]

Another article complaining about the high ticket prices for kiwis. its possible populist deputy prime minister Peters may take some action on this.https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/kiwi-tra ... n-the-cold

[David Benton]

The Bogie (truck) saga . Quite a good summary of recent nz Rail history as well.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/113286 ... kY__eRqjwU

[David Benton]

The problem of where to spend the money.Gisborne needs it s railway back, but its pretty obvious most of the money is going to Northland.Politically, NZ First want to win a seat there.
http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/4 ... Nnn1ky4w1w

[David Benton]

Wairoa gets its trains back after 7 years absence.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zea ... a-re-opens
The line closed seven years ago after a cyclone cut the line to Gisborne. The line as far as Wairoa was still useable , but the last timber mill generating traffic closed down.
The traffic will be logs going to the port for export, expected to increase exponentially as trees reach maturity in the next few years .

[David Benton]

This was funded last year , before the billion dollars now proposed to be spent.

[David Benton]

A study of the line to Gisborne is to be funded. This is a very isolated region , easily cut off by storms. Pretty much reliant on primary industries.
Possibly the reference to well being includes reducing the feeling of isolation.
http://gisborneherald.co.nz/lifestyle/4 ... GgdgkjsBa4

[David Benton]

KiwiRail would be replacing and repurposing old and outdated stock, with more than 100 new locomotives and 900 new container wagons to be ordered and in place by the end of 2023.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/392 ... and-wagons

[David Benton]

The governments press release.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gov ... 6mSqU0MWP0