Sue Kedgley MP Green Party Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley is urging the Government to start immediate negotiations to buy back the national rail track after TranzRail today said it was looking to close or mothball some sections of track. Ms Kedgley said she was particularly concerned with this announcement given that question marks currently hang over the Napier - Gisborne and Rotorua rail lines. She said there were already signs that TranzRail was preparing to shut down the Napier - Gisborne line and transfer operations to road freight.
Clearly time is of the essence.
If the Government does not negotiate to buy back New Zealand's rail lines now, then certain sections of these lines will soon start closing. Ms Kedgley said a crucial and strategic piece of New Zealand's infrastructure was at risk of being shut down unless the Government committed to buying it back. The Greens have always said negotiations over buying back the Auckland rail track need to be seen in a national context. Now more than ever what is required is a comprehensive national rail strategy to get the rail tracks back in public ownership. Sue Kedgley will be asking an oral question during question time this afternoon on this issue.