Capital Connection Under Threat

[Kalelovil]

"Labour's transport spokesman has labelled plans to scrap the Capital Connection "madness".

Phil Twyford spoke to about 35 people, many regular users of the train, at last night's meeting at the Palmerston North train station.

"I believe that cutting the Capital Connection is madness," Mr Twyford said. "It's crazy to be cutting down quite a successful rail service at a time we should be building rail services." Public transport would become increasingly popular as oil prices rose over the "medium to long term", he said.
...
Mr Twyford said the Government was too focused on building roads and did not hold that mode of transport to the same standards of affordability and economic performance as public transport.

"There's a terrible double standard between road and rail.

"When was the last time the Government said: we want every road to make a profit ... and if there are any roads not making a profit, we want you to close them down?""

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standar ... -road-rail

[pickle]

Last chance to sign the petition to SAVE THE CAPITAL CONNECTION! If you haven't yet done so, please do http://www.labour.org.nz/capitalconnection. I see that Labour may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is simply because the local MP organising this petition is from the party, so please do sign it before the end of Tuesday.

You need to get your signatures in NOW! Petition is about to close!

[keg]

Horizons will put up some money to keep the CapCon subject to contributions from GW & NZTA.

From the Manawatu Standard:

Horizons offers Connection cash
EMMA HORSLEY
27/06/2012

Horizons councillors have voted to offer a bandaid to the Capital Connection by earmarking money for the struggling rail service to keep going for another year.

Although the NZ Transport Agency has refused to throw the financially-strapped service a cash lifeline, both Horizons and Greater Wellington regional councils have said they want to pursue funding options and are preparing a business plan in an effort to change its mind.

Any subsidy from both councils would be contingent on receiving a subsidy from the agency.
continues

[geoff_184]

The bus trials have been continuing this week...

Capital Connection cancellations continue
13/07/2012


THE TRAIN HAS STOPPED: The Capital Connection is out of action with mechanical problems.


The Capital Connection has been replaced by buses for a second day due to a mechanical problem.

A mechanical problem with the generator van that affected the train yesterday was not yet fixed, a Kiwi Rail spokeswoman said.

Buses would be available from Wellington Station to take passengers to Palmerston North this evening.

Waikanae and Paraparaumu passengers can use monthly and 10 trip tickets on TranzMetro Services.

The Capital Connection runs Monday to Friday.

[john-ston]

I maintain that the title of this thread should be changed to

"Capital Connection Under Threat"

because let us face it, it is under threat - there is no possibly about it.

[eurokiwi78]

By Xmas 'reinstate the capital connection' might be even mote appropriate given its likely demise.

[scooter]

Is the "Generator Van" excuse with any merit? Isnt there at least one ex-Overlander one sitting in Wellington that could do the job? Unless there is mechanical/electrical compatibility issues that could be explained..... (and if there is then KR needs to state that)

[john-ston]

Is the "Generator Van" excuse with any merit? Isnt there at least one ex-Overlander one sitting in Wellington that could do the job? Unless there is mechanical/electrical compatibility issues that could be explained..... (and if there is then KR needs to state that)

I think it was mentioned above that the issue was with wheelchair accessibility. Someone else mentioned (and I agree), would it not be cheaper and easier just to have a wheelchair accessible taxi running alongside the Capital Connection.

[scooter]

I expect it'll be buses on the southbound trip again tomorrow morning... the set was in the yard in Wellington this arvo and I highly doubt that they'll run it north tonight

[greenwelly]

I am guessing that it might be replaced by buses this evening ( if it was going to run at all)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7293676/Kapiti-Coast-train-vs-car-crash

Emergency services are working to free a person after a car and train collided on the Kapiti Coast.
The crash between a car and a freight train happened on an unarmed crossing south of Te Horo between Waikanae and Otaki.
The badly mangled car has come rest just north of the crossing.
A rescue helicopter is en route to the scene.
An ambulance spokesman said "there are injuries".
A police spokesman said the crash happened at 1.50pm.

[pickle]

Edit- moved to relevant thread.

[kaiwhara]

Ask and ye shall recieve.

Or alternatively, PM one of us mods and draw our attention to it, and we will fix it!

I maintain that the title of this thread should be changed to

"Capital Connection Under Threat"

because let us face it, it is under threat - there is no possibly about it.

[keg]

From Horizons:

Plan to keep commuter train on track heard by Minister
25/07/2012 8:38am

A high powered delegation of local government chairs and chief executives met with Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee last night in an attempt to keep the wheels turning on the commuter train service between Palmerston North and Wellington.

Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils are pursuing a joint funding proposal between themselves and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to continue the Capital Connection rail service.

The service has been struggling since the extension of the Metro rail service to Waikanae in 2011 and needs an estimated $435 000, to be shared between the three parties if it is to continue.

Chair of Horizons Regional Council Bruce Gordon said he was encouraged by the meeting with the Minister and remained optimistic a solution will be found.

“I am satisfied that the Minister has listened to our concerns and understood the implications for our communities if this service does not continue,” said Mr Gordon.

“I am committed to ensuring the options are investigated and carefully considered by all parties and remain hopeful that this vital link between the two cities will be retained.”

Peter Glensor, deputy chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, says the Capital Connection was valued by both regions. "It's important that we retain and develop rail services north of Waikanae and we have emphasised that to the Minister.

"The service could be incorporated into our current rail operating contract and planned upgrades of the track between Waikanae and Palmerston North could shave 15-20 minutes off the two hour journey. That's about the same length as the Wellington to Masterton service and would make it more attractive to people.”

Anyone know what these planned track upgrades are? I suppose that Forest Lakes might be part of it although that hasn't been mentioned for awhile. But I'd think that there'd be quite a bit more to get those sort of savings ...

[eurokiwi78]

I can't see that amount of savings without lifting the line speed to be honest, in excess of 100. Even if otaki to manukau (forest lakes) was deviated at 100km/h it would shave perhaps 4 min at the most. Providing more horsepower and graduated release brakes on the s cars would probably save more time.

As for temporary speed restrictions, there are bugger all on that portion of line at the moment.

[mohnjadden]

If the Capital Connection is saved by the proposed plan, it seems the carriages will be owned by the GWRC like all other rolling stock. A very good idea I think.

See here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... il-service

[Jonthekiwi]

Seems logical for the GWRC to take ownership and control.Then they can see the real costs of running the service as they would be used to managing costs for the loco hauling the set by Kiwirail.

Unfortunately, I can think of one individual on this site who will hate the fact that some sort of subsidy will be required to keep the service running. Fact is it will stop outright if kept by Kiwirail. So the anti subsidy individual would end up having no train.

All in all, a good outcome for the people, the towns, the region and for almost all rail fans.

[keg]

Seems logical for the GWRC to take ownership and control.Then they can see the real costs of running the service as they would be used to managing costs for the loco hauling the set by Kiwirail.

Yes, if its going to be subsidised then that's the way to go. Ideally it wouldn't be, because it wouldn't need to be. Have to see what Gerry says now ...

Unfortunately, I can think of one individual on this site who will hate the fact that some sort of subsidy will be required to keep the service running. Fact is it will stop outright if kept by Kiwirail. So the anti subsidy individual would end up having no train.

Uncalled for & petty. You never learn, do you? You ruined an otherwise reasonable and well mannered post by putting that in...

[eurokiwi78]

If gerry allows gw to buy the train and run it along the lines of the wairarapa service the frequency might improve. Does it really need 8 carriages on it.

[grunter]

If gerry allows gw to buy the train and run it along the lines of the wairarapa service the frequency might improve. Does it really need 8 carriages on it.

Yes it does, but only from the last stop, and therin lies the core issue for operators commutter trains. Most revenue sources (people) don't make the whole trip- most of the cost sources do (stock/staff and access fees).

[royce]

eurokiwi78 wrote:
If gerry allows gw to buy the train and run it along the lines of the wairarapa service the frequency might improve. Does it really need 8 carriages on it.


Yes it does, but only from the last stop, and therin lies the core issue for operators commutter trains. Most revenue sources (people) don't make the whole trip- most of the cost sources do (stock/staff and access fees).

Then a shuttle from Waikanae to palmerston could be more economic. But I suppose Kiwirail would want to charge the same access fee regardless of the size of the train. Doesnt seem right to me.