The Campaign For Better Transport » Capital Connection

Capital Connection gets lifeline

LJH — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:51:12 +0000

Some good news from The Manawatu Standard:

Palmerston Nroth MP Iain Lees-Galloway says the Capital Connection railway link has received a stay of execution.

However, KiwiRail is denying any firm commitments have been made about the service’s future.

Leaders vow fight over rail service

LJH — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:34:56 +0000

The Manawatu Standard reports:

Here is Palmerston North’s bottom line: A rail service to Wellington that is inferior to the one we have now will not be acceptable.

Ratepayers face bill to keep capital train service

LJH — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:33:01 +0000

The Manawatu Standard reports Horizons Regional Council is in discussions with KiwiRail over the future of the Capital Connection service between Palmerston North and Wellington. One option put forward is to run a shuttle service from Palmerston North and Waikanae. The article notes 185,472 passengers used the service in the year to June 2009.

Capital Connection Worries

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:11:25 +0000

The Capital Connection is the successful rail service that runs between Palmerston North and Wellington. The editorial in the Manawatu Standard sums up the issue:

The future of the Capital Connection rail service between Palmerston North and Wellington is a long way from being decided, but the noises coming out of the capital are cause for concern.

The upgrading of the rail link between Wellington and Waikanae, extending electrification north from Paraparaumu and double-tracking the line, will likely see Waikanae commuters currently catching the Capital Connection switch to Wellington metro services.

And that, as Transport Minister Steven Joyce told the Standard, will have a “probable” impact on the viability of the Capital Connection.

Mr Joyce’s hedging aside, common sense dictates that at least some – and likely most – Waikanae commuters currently using the Capital Connection will make the switch to the more-frequent KiwiRail service.

The exact impact the competition will have on the Capital Connection’s patronage is unclear, but any drop in numbers will affect the service’s viability.

While the issues won’t come to a head until the extension work is completed in about 18 months’ time, Palmerston North shouldn’t wait until it’s too late.