Vote Trains

News

New hopes on train link

By NIKKI PRESTON - Waikato Times

The possibility of a Hamilton to Auckland commuter train service could be revived as new faces join the region's council tables.

Campaign for Better Transport spokesman Jon Reeves said the majority of elected members on the councils were behind the service.

"Environment Waikato was a little bit hamstrung but I think now we are going to find it a little bit easier. Waikato district wasn't so supportive up until now."

New Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said talk around providing alternative transport to roading from Auckland super-city Mayor Len Brown and Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson was positive. "I am fully supportive of a train link. It requires negotiations and discussions with councils that border on the train line." She has the backing of nine of the 12 city councillors who also signed a pre-election pledge from the coalition.

But Hamilton MPs are doubtful there has been a big enough change within councils, particularly at the regional council level.

"I don't necessarily buy the line there's a huge lot of support for trains signalled through the local body elections," Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe said.

"It certainly can't be an unfair burden on ratepayers. I don't see it happening as quickly as some people want it to."

Fellow National MP David Bennett agreed funding was the biggest barrier and the service needed the buy-in of local councils first.

Plans to revive the commuter train proposal could depend on a survey of about 1150 people under way throughout the Waikato. The EW-commissioned survey will be assessed by the newly-formed Passenger Rail Working Group and will gauge public demand for a commuter service and their willingness to fund it. Last year Hamilton City Council shelved plans to trial the service after KiwiRail asked for $1.14 million over three years. The figure was much higher than initial estimates of around $456,000.

But with support from Mr Sanson and new regional council candidates Lois Livingston and Russ Rimmington, Hamilton city councillor Dave Macpherson said it was more likely they would provide funding. "I'm hopeful, very hopeful," he said.

Mr Macpherson said the council already had $256,000 allocated for a new train station to be built at The Base, but Waikato District Council would need to fund new stations at Tuakau and Te Kauwhata.

KiwiRail has not ruled out using the three available 1970s Silver Fern carriages for a regional service as no long-term plans have been made for them.
The possibility of a Hamilton to Auckland commuter train service could be revived as new faces join the region's council tables.

The lobby group Campaign for Better Transport is confident new pro-rail councillors elected to Waikato District Council and Environment Waikato will join Hamilton City Council and have a service running within 18 months.
Campaign for Better Transport spokesman Jon Reeves said the majority of elected members on the councils were behind the service.

"Environment Waikato was a little bit hamstrung but I think now we are going to find it a little bit easier. Waikato district wasn't so supportive up until now."
New Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said talk around providing alternative transport to roading from Auckland super-city Mayor Len Brown and Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson was positive. "I am fully supportive of a train link. It requires negotiations and discussions with councils that border on the train line." She has the backing of nine of the 12 city councillors who also signed a pre-election pledge from the coalition.

But Hamilton MPs are doubtful there has been a big enough change within councils, particularly at the regional council level.

"I don't necessarily buy the line there's a huge lot of support for trains signalled through the local body elections," Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe said.

"It certainly can't be an unfair burden on ratepayers. I don't see it happening as quickly as some people want it to."

Fellow National MP David Bennett agreed funding was the biggest barrier and the service needed the buy-in of local councils first.

Mr Macpherson said the council already had $256,000 allocated for a new train station to be built at The Base, but Waikato District Council would need to fund new stations at Tuakau and Te Kauwhata.

KiwiRail has not ruled out using the three available 1970s Silver Fern carriages for a regional service as no long-term plans have been made for them.

Campaign for Better Transport welcomes new “Vote Trains” Councils

10 October 2010

The Campaign for Better Transport welcomes the election of new Councils for Environment Waikato, Hamilton City and the Waikato District.

In particular it is delighted to see so many "Vote Trains" candidates elected to each local authority. 9 of the new Hamilton City Councillors have pledged their support for a daily return passenger rail service to Auckland and understand the need for local councils to provide some funding for the service.

"We have worked hard to make this an issue" said Hamilton organiser Rob George. "It became clear to us that the right people need to be in the right places to get the service up and running, hence the launch of our VOTE TRAINS campaign. We have built community support and awareness for the issue, we telephoned every candidate to gauge their support for the service and we attended every public meeting during the election period.”

The number of councillors across all the councils who support the rail service shows this work has been successful. CBT is particularly pleased to see that the new Mayors of Hamilton, Julie Hardaker, and the Waikato District Council, Alan Sanson, are vocal supporters of commuter rail. Strong leadership on this matter is important. It also welcomes the return of Paula Southgate, Norm Barker and Peter Buckley to Environment Waikato and the election of pro rail candidates Lois Livingstone and Russ Rimmington.

In recent days Environment Waikato has convened a working party to examine the issue. Stakeholders included Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council, Waipa District Council, Waikato District Council, Auckland Council, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Kiwi Rail and the New Zealand Transport Agency. It is important that the new councils - Environment Waikato, Hamilton City and Waikato District - continue this work.

"There are some arguments for not supporting a rail service" stated Mr George "and the new councils will be able to find some reasons not to support a train service if you so choose. There are however many reasons to support the service and we expect that the new councils will be enlightened enough to take a large step toward a 21 first century, future proofed, transport system that has rail as a central component.”

The Campaign for Better Transport expects that the new councils will speak to local government MPs David Bennett, Tim MacIndoe and Lindsey Tisch about making a contribution to the service. With pro-rail councillors on a number of the local authorities, the task of securing Government funding will become easier.

“We believe that the logic of the rail service will quickly become as obvious to the government politicians as it has to local body politicians” concluded Mr George. “The need may exist however to continue to make passenger rail a local issue during the general election in 2011. This is something we are prepared to do, if necessary”.

About the Campaign for Better Transport:

It is a national sustainable transport lobby which is not politically aligned which is run on a volunteer basis.

The CBT has grown considerably and has members across New Zealand, Australia, UK and Switzerland.

Campaign successes include:
- Re-Open Onehunga Railway line
- Forcing Transit NZ through Environment Court mediation to move SH20 near Mangere Bridge Township to accommodate a future rail link to Auckland airport.
- Developing public and political support for electrification of the Auckland railway network

The CBT funds and hosts the only nationwide online transport forum at www.BetterTransport.org.nz

Media Contacts:
Rob George, Hamilton Organiser, 0274-974-715

Jon Reeves, Campaign Manager 021 535 295

Everybody's doing the locomotion

Hamilton News

In its push for a Heartland to Auckland commuter rail link the self proclaimed, 'non political' Campaign for Better Transport is certainly on track to raise its profile.

In the past couple of weeks campaign organisers have launched its 'Vote Trains' manifesto for local body candidates to sign up to and support and gone online with a dedicated website.

On the website CBT proclaims its ambition to have a Hamilton - Auckland rail link operating within the next 18 months. It also lists those candidates who support its locomotive aspirations some with expanded rationale, some explained and a notable exception. Incumbent Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock is boldy listed as a supporting candidate. Under his name is a range of quotes covering ''. . . integration between the two cities . . . I have already begun conversations with two Auckland mayoral candidates . . . supportive of Waikato Expressway . . . train connection not only necessary but inevitable''. However, the small print rider notes that Bob has not signed the manifesto. But it does explain that through his term he has demonstrated support for commuter trains. One might think that is a pretty long bow to draw.

Lots of people have expressed support and sympathy for the establishment of a commuter rail link but their names have not made the grade. Gordon Chesterman, Dave Macpherson, Daphne Bell, Mark Servian, Angela O'Leary and mayoral aspirant Julie Hardaker have apparently signed up to the cause.

On the Environment Waikato front, Lois Livingston and Paula Southgate are prominent supporters, along with candidate Russ Rimmington. Oh, and Rates Control rebel Peter Buckley, never one to miss a free ride, is on also the list. It remains to be seen whether he sticks with his promises this time around.

'Trains now' campaign on track for local elections

Hamilton News

Campaign For Better Transport (CBT) has launched its ''Vote TRAINS'' campaign in Garden Place, Hamilton. ''Vote TRAINS'' is a step forward for the ''Waikato Trains NOW!'' campaign which has been extremely well received by both the public and businesses in Hamilton and throughout Waikato towns such as Ngaruawahia, Huntly and Te Kauwhata.