The Campaign For Better Transport

Organised by www.savepapakura.com , this is the first of series of debates featuring the views of MPs. The first debate is Transport – Auckland’s No 1 issue. Are we on the right track or the road to nowhere?

• Monday 12th April 7 – 9pm
• Boodles Restaurant, courtyard area
• Selwyn Arcade, 182 Great South Rd, Papakura (walkable from the train station!)

Enjoy an evening of food, drinks and lively debate. The MP’s are:

• David Bennett – National MP
• David Clendon – Green MP
• David Shearer – Labour MP

For further details, phone Caroline Conroy (09) 298 5945

The Waikato times reports:

Hamilton East MP David Bennett was told to “get real” and “keep it shortish” when he faced a public meeting championing a commuter train between Hamilton and Auckland last night.

The National MP took the brunt of criticism over the Government’s lack of support for the service when he reiterated that the $1 billion Waikato Expressway was his priority and he was “not opposed” to a train service in the long-term.

About 100 people gathered at the meeting at Hamilton City Council, run by Campaign for Better Transport, to show their support for reinstating a commuter train on the main trunk line between Hamilton and Auckland – an initiative which would need between $700,000 and $1 million in Government funding to get it back on track.

As covered over at Auckland trains, the MP for Hamilton East, David Bennett, is opposed to the introduction of a regular train service between Auckland and the Waikato.  He is now responding to the postcards being sent to him by saying any potential rail service would have “problems”.

Responding to this, Barry Palmer has prepared the attached letter, which eloquently explains why Mr Bennett is wrong on every count.

What is especially disappointing about Mr Bennett’s attitude to Hamilton rail is that he was a willing recipient of our petition to electrify Auckland’s rail network back in 2007, along with Green Party MP Keith Locke. We thought this marked a sea change National’s thinking towards rail, but clearly we were mistaken.

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Media Release from the Campaign for Better Transport: 23 August 2009
  
Yesterday the Campaign For Better Transport (CBT) visited towns in the Waikato asking residents and businesses to show their support for commuter trains to Auckland and they received an overwhelmingly positive response, with over 1,000 postcards signed in just a few hours.
 
Members from the independent transport lobby group Campaign For Better Transport spent several hours yesterday in Huntly, Ngaruawahia, The Base shopping centre in Te Rapa and in Hamilton Central, collecting signatures on postcards which are aimed at making local Hamilton MPs Tim Macindoe and David Bennett, as well as the Minister of Transport Steven Joyce and Prime Minister John Key, aware of the train service the region urgently wants.

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The public is urged to show their support for a Hamilton – Auckland commuter rail service

Today the Campaign For Better Transport (CBT) officially launched phase two of its “Waikato Commuter Trains NOW!” campaign in favour of a commuter rail service between Hamilton and Auckland.

Waikato residents and businesses, as well as potential Auckland to Hamilton rail commuters, now have the opportunity to sign and send a freepost postcard direct to their pick of Prime Minister John Key, Transport Minister Steven Joyce, and local Hamilton MPs Tim Macindoe and David Bennett. 

David Bennett has recently voiced his opposition to funding the proposed Hamilton to Auckland commuter service, branding it a waste of time.  Jon Reeves, a spokesperson for the CBT, says “We hope that, as the recipient of numerous postcards in support of this service, David Bennett will respond to what his electorate really wants”.

Results from Hamilton City Council’s most recent Residents Survey show that 85% of city residents think a Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Service would be a good idea.  This service could become a reality for a fraction of the cost of the roading projects currently underway in the region.

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