NZ First promises Canterbury commuter rail trial and Southerner reinstatement

New Zealand First has promised to fund a 12-month trial of commuter rail services in Canterbury if re-elected. The proposed trial would link Rolleston and Rangiora to central Christchurch. Leader Winston Peters stated the goal is to reduce the Rolleston to Christchurch travel time to approximately 20 minutes, compared to up to 50 minutes by road.

The party also pledged to bring back The Southerner train service, which connects Christchurch with Dunedin and Invercargill. NZ First intends to work with current operators of the Mainlander service to secure a commercially sound agreement to increase train frequency. Peters noted the cost of the commuter trial would possibly be less than $4 million and should begin as soon as possible after the election.

The announcement was made to over 1,000 supporters at the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch on Sunday. Peters argued that because the taxpayer already owns the existing railway lines, the trial would allow Cantabrians to prove the service's viability in practice. He said that if hundreds of passengers use the trains daily, it would build the business case for a permanent service.

In response to the pledge, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said his party is always open to expanding commuter rail but must ensure it is economically viable. While the Green Party has also pledged to reinstate intercity passenger rail services, National has focused on funding the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass.

How it developed

• Mon 19 Oct, 6:07amWinston Peters estimated the commuter rail trial would cost possibly less than $4 million and should start immediately after the election.

Where reports differ

• One report identifies the Mainlander service as being run by the private Rail and Tourism Group Holdings, while others refer to working with current operators generally

Compiled from reports by The Press, Otago Daily Times, Stuff, NZ Herald, RNZ and Newsroom.