Commuter train proposal receives support of businesses

[kaiwhara]

If the Capital Connection is a proven, well used service, why then are Kiwirail considering killing it due to a lack of passengers?

SE cars - potentially an option.
S cars- it would seem very dumb to replace a proven, well used service with an untested service to a devastated city.
I say that if we wait four years when recovery is on the way for Christchurch. By that stage we have a fleet of SA's ready for service.

[duddley]

That would be because they have decided they want a subsidy and have used creative accounting to make sure the seevice appears to be running at a loss.

[kaiwhara]

So what makes any of you think an unestablished service to Ashburton would be any different?

That would be because they have decided they want a subsidy and have used creative accounting to make sure the seevice appears to be running at a loss.

[tuktuk]

If the Capital Connection is a proven, well used service, why then are Kiwirail considering killing it due to a lack of passengers?

Lack of passengers is not the issue. While there has been a patronage drop off since Waikanae electrification opened it is not the significant factor that pundits would have you believe. The issue is an internal accounting change that has seen a service that covered its costs overnight turn into a loss maker. What has happened since, in particular constant genset van breakdowns, seems only to be serving to attempt to push a preset process toward an ultimately pre-determined conclusion.

Some big questions should in particular be asked on what the locomotive hook and tow costs are, and how much they have gone up.

[pickle]

So what makes any of you think an unestablished service to Ashburton would be any different?

That would be because they have decided they want a subsidy and have used creative accounting to make sure the seevice appears to be running at a loss.

I'm saying if the CC doesn't work, there's no way a new service like this would work. Having said that I think a Christchurch - Ashburton train would actually be a good idea, but I think it would probably work as a subsidised city public transport service.