Restart of the Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific trains good news

Published on 13/04/2022 at 9:31 am.

The Rail Advocacy Collective (TRAC) applauds the reinstatement of the Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific trains to their former routes. However, we still think of this as a very small step in the redevelopment of long distance railway public transport, which TRAC feels is imperative in this time of the climate crisis and social inequity.

TRAC chair, Guy Wellwood says, ā€œItā€™s about time that the Government realised that there is a climate crisis and that it needs to act now to do something about it, and developing rail transport is the best way to mitigate transport emissions over distance travelā€

National Coordinator for TRAC Niall Robertson says, ā€œThe current structure of having local bodies initiate all forms of public transport through their region as well is in their in their region is flawed and needs to be coordinated nationally by the government. Until this happens, local bodies have to go cap in hand with a ā€˜business caseā€™ to beg for some funding from the government for a route through many other local bodies regions and hope they cooperateā€.

There is a long way to go to develop services which should have been in place five years ago. The government needs to act now! It is later than we think!

Press release dated 13 Apr 22. Authorized by Guy Wellwood Chair,Ā The Railway Advocacy Collective (TRAC)

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