Let KiwiRail compete for road dollars

27 April 2016

National should let KiwiRail compete for funding from the enormous roading budget and scrap the two-tiered funding system which grossly favour costly highway projects, the Green Party said today.

The comments come following a report by KiwiRail showing it considered shutting down its entire freight business to meet the Government’s requirements to deliver a short-term profit.

“The $3 billion a year in National’s transport budget should be opened-up to be invested in rail, not just roads," said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“National's current system grossly favours investment in a few expensive motorways, and under-invests in New Zealand's rail system.

“The Government should be funding whatever transport project offers the best solution for shifting freight, reducing climate pollution, and making our roads safer – be that better rail or better roads.

“KiwiRail should not be forced to operate as a commercial enterprise, while National spends over two billion dollars a year on a few expensive highways with no demand for them to return a profit.

“The rail network removes over a million truck trips from our road each year, which means less congestion, less pollution, and safer roads. Not investing in rail is not an option," said Ms Genter.

Latest Transport Announcements

Story

National put climate action into reverse gear

The National Party’s plan to install EV chargers while at the same time making it harder for people to buy an EV is bizarre and ridiculous.
Read More

Story

Prioritising roads over climate is simply irresponsible

The Government’s decision today to prioritise new roads is the exact opposite of what Aotearoa needs right now and needs a rethink.
Read More

Story

Irresponsible Auckland harbour crossing bad for climate and bad for congestion

Throwing tens of billions of dollars at another six lanes of traffic is not going to solve Auckland’s congestion problem - and is grossly irrespons...
Read More

Story

It’s official! The Green Party the only grown-ups in the room on public transport

People are tired of the three yearly public transport merry-go-round. It literally doesn’t get anyone anywhere.
Read More

Story

National’s transport policy rehash of failed ideas

The National Party's visionless obsession with highways is the exact opposite of the smart investment Aotearoa needs in zero-emissions transport in...
Read More

Story

ACT policy will create roads exclusively for the well-off

ACT’s proposal for private highways will see only those who can afford to pay expensive tolls able to use the roads.
Read More