Capital Connection

Save the Capital Connection Posted 13th of June 2012

Save the Capital Connection

KiwiRail has announced that it cannot continue to run the Capital Connection commuter train that runs between Palmerston North and Wellington without support from the NZTA and Regional Councils. It will be cut before August if the Government doesn't step in.

The Capital Connection is the only commuter rail service in New Zealand that has been expected to run on a purely commercial basis. Every other commuter train in the country receives support from central and regional Government.

The proposal to save the Capital Connection is to bring it under the Trans Metro service with the same funding model as all other commuter rail. That would see passenger fares, regional council and NZTA funding combining to provide the service.

It is a similar approach to that used to link Masterton and Wellington on the Wairarapa line.

However, despite the two regional councils - Greater Wellington and Horizons - backing the proposal the NZTA refuses to support it. That is because the Government's Roads of National Significance policy means regions and rail don't get a look in.

This is our last chance to save the Capital Connection and start working on improving the rail options for people in the Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti.

Sign our petition, join our Facebook group and get on board the campaign to Save the Capital Connection.

Download the petition form here.

Or sign online!

To the House of Representatives:

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Government instruct the New Zealand Transport Agency to work with KiwiRail, Horizons Regional Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council to maintain a viable commuter rail link between Palmerston North and Wellintgon and to retain the Capital Connection service until such time that any replacement service is established.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheCapitalConnection

http://transportblog.co.nz/2012/06/10/guest-post-save-the-capital-connection/