Capital Connection Under Threat

[robincole]

Capital Connection was TranzMetro until about 2001, not sure if it was subsidied or not.

[kaiwhara]

No it wasn't. It never has been.

Capital Connection was TranzMetro until about 2001, not sure if it was subsidied or not.

[john-ston]

Just to clarify, you were talking about the subsidy, right?

No it wasn't. It never has been.

Capital Connection was TranzMetro until about 2001, not sure if it was subsidied or not.

[kaiwhara]

Correct , it was Tranz Metro, until the Tranz Scenic Split in 2001, but never subsidised.

Just to clarify, you were talking about the subsidy, right?

No it wasn't. It never has been.

Capital Connection was TranzMetro until about 2001, not sure if it was subsidied or not.

[pickle]

All fare revenue from Tranz Metro services is collected for and paid to GWRC, via Metlink. That is why Metlink can set the fares and dictate what special fares are availible, and when. Kiwirail, via Tranz Metro is just the contracted operator, with the added addition that for the Wairarapa service there is also a "hook and tow" part. GWRC own all the EMU's, the EMU depot and all the SW rolling stock. Inaddition they also own ALL the station platforms and most of the buildings. (I think the only ones they dont are Wellington (Tenths Trust), Materton (Kiwirail) and Paekakariki and Carterton (local respective community groups)
Tranz Metro only make a profit from the Wairarapa services in that they are paid an agreed rate to operate it for the owner.

I think that is the best way to subsidize a service. I believe the technical term is "gross contracting". This allows maximum value for money out of rate payers and ensures that there is no potential for fraud. I believe the entire Wellington and Auckland rail networks are funded this way. This is as opposed to "net contracting" which seems far less efficient and is how most bus services are contracted. All stations on the Auckland network are owned by AT.

[gandalf1944]

It looks as though both the regional councils are taking a sensible and pragmatic approach to saving the Capital Connection service.

Business case for Capital Connection
Wednesday, 13 June 2012, 6:03 pm
Press Release: Greater Wellington Regional Council

News release
13 June 2012

Greater Wellington & Horizons make business case for Capital Connection

Greater Wellington Regional Council will make a formal business case, with Horizons Regional Council, to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for continuation of the Capital Connection train service between Wellington and Palmerston North. The service is currently run commercially by KiwiRail but it has become increasingly unviable since the extension of regular commuter services to Waikanae.

Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington, says the Council could include the Capital Connection within its current rail operating contract but this would require funding from both Horizons and NZTA.
“The Capital Connection has a significant number of loyal customers who prefer the more spacious seating arrangements, work tables and café facilities. It’s the only fully express service between Paraparaumu and Wellington. And it’s the only direct weekday service between Wellington City and places such as Otaki and Levin, so in that sense is an important economic link between Wellington and Manawatu.

“It’s also important for the future of both our regions that we retain and develop rail services north of Waikanae so we’re keen to explore all avenues to continue this service. We understand that planned upgrades of the track between Waikanae and Palmerston North could shave 15-20 minutes off the two hour journey which is about the same length as the Wellington to Masterton service and would make it more attractive to people.”

Fran Wilde says she’s aware of the NZTA’s recent public comments on funding the Capital Connection service as part of Greater Wellington’s existing rail contract. “However, we’re keen to put a detailed business case to NZTA for a formal decision. The business case will obviously need to include long-term cost forecasts and the future liability for each party and we’d need to increase Capital Connection fares from stations north of Waikanae.”

Greater Wellington would negotiate with KiwiRail to extend the Capital Connection service in the meantime.
ends

[Cogload]

The 15/20 min improvement due to "planned upgrades" being the Forest Lakes deviation...which has gone very quiet...

[geoff_184]

The 15/20 min improvement due to "planned upgrades" being the Forest Lakes deviation...which has gone very quiet...

The Forest Lakes project might save a minute, but not 15-20. I would guess the saving comes from removal of speed restrictions.

[eurokiwi78]

There aren't many temporary speed restrictions at the moment to fix. Admittedly for a month or so during the world cup there Wasnt a single tsr but the track is still in good nick.

15 min would be a huge saving, can't see where without a higher than 100km max speed really.

What other use could they have in mind for the s cars I wonder.

[john-ston]

What other use could they have in mind for the s cars I wonder.

Overlander?

[pcuser42]

What other use could they have in mind for the s cars I wonder.

Overlander?

AKs will be used on the Northern Explorer...

[DFT7008]

Tonight's Capital Connection along with tommorow mornings return are both cancelled due to the failure of the Generator onboard the AG Van...

Is there any reason why they can not put a spare Overlander van instead ?

[kaiwhara]

It'll likely be due to the capacity of the Generator onboard AG130 to power all the 240V sockets, and also AG130 has the Wheelchair lift - no other AG has this.

[pcuser42]

It'll likely be due to the capacity of the Generator onboard AG130 to power all the 240V sockets, and also AG130 has the Wheelchair lift - no other AG has this.

Really? Because when I was on it in June 2011 it had a standard Overlander van...

[kaiwhara]

AG49 has a generator big enough, however it lacks wheelchair access...

[Andrew]

Would it have been cheaper to run the train with that other AG and put a wheelchair van on the road for anyone needing it?

[mohnjadden]

If the NZTA doesn't provide any money, what about move Capital Connection to metro, GWRC take ownership of S carriages like the units and SW carriages are. Then when the SE carriages are converted into SW, make the S carriage compatible with the SW carriages, and share them amongst the Wairarapa/Capital Connection. Add some to the CC. Drop the CC price of Waikanae/Paraparaumu tickets to at or below the price of the units. Use the lower price and extra capacity to attract a ton of passengers away from the electric units, more than enough to make up for the lower ticket price, and return the CC to profitability.

[eurokiwi78]

Use the lower price and extra capacity to attract a ton of passengers away from the electric units, more than enough to make up for the lower ticket price, and return the CC to profitability.

Rob peter to pay paul? That would increase the subsidy required on the Waikanae EMU service. If the manawatu ratepayers want a subsidized service its upto them via Horizons to cough up the cash.

[grunter]

Tonight's Capital Connection along with tommorow mornings return are both cancelled due to the failure of the Generator onboard the AG Van...

Is there any reason why they can not put a spare Overlander van instead ?

Technically no, providing it was not already on an Overlander set.

[pickle]

Last chance to sign the petition to SAVE THE CAPITAL CONNECTION! If you haven't yet done so, please do 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.