Greens go for electric rail

The Greens highlight fast intercity electric rail improvements as the type of climate-friendly, job-creating project that should be prioritised for post COVID-19 economic stimulus investment.

A $9 billion intercity rail investment is suggested over 10 years to roll out fast, electric passenger and freight services connecting key provincial centres such as Hamilton, Tauranga and Whangarei with Auckland; Masterton, Palmerston North and Whanganui with Wellington; and Rangiora, Ashburton and Timaru with Christchurch.

“The large intercity rail project proposed will provide meaningful work whilst driving us towards a sustainable, green, zero carbon future,” Green Party co-leader and climate change spokesperson James Shaw says.

“Building rail creates more jobs than building motorways and helps us tackle climate change at the same time.

“If this crisis has shown us anything, it’s that the systems put in place to govern our lives can be quickly changed for our collective good.

“The Greens understand in government we can prioritise caring for people and the environment and create an economy that delivers that. This is our key focus when deciding infrastructure projects with our government partners.”

Green Party transport spokesperson and associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter says the Greens want a transformational infrastructure stimulus package fit for the 21st century that has economic recovery and climate change front and centre.

“That’s why we’re proposing a nation-wide intercity rapid rail programme that would bring our provincial centres and biggest cities closer together through fast, electric passenger rail. This will create real alternatives to driving or flying for people who want to travel around the country for work, to see their family and friends, or for domestic tourism.

“The decisions we make now should set a better course for the future of our communities.”

A two-stage roll out is suggested, the first stage including major work programme to electrify rail lines between the centres and targeted improvements to existing track to allow travel speeds up to 110km/h.

Stage two would involve building new higher-speed track to support ‘tilt-trains’ capable of 160km/h and by-passes to create faster, more direct routes, such as around the Whangamarino wetland north of Hamilton.