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Letter
‘Future potential’ key phrase
Monday, August 20, 2012
Re: KiwiRail to cut 5 jobs here, August 17 story.

Those of us advocating for the retention of the Gisborne-Napier railway have the International Energy Agency on our side.

The IEA has been warning us that we urgently need to reduce our vulnerability to post (2006) peak oil prices: “We can conclude that the age of cheap oil is over,” said Fatih Birol, chief economist at the IEA, in May 2011.

The National Government is choosing to ignore, downplay and even suppress this advice. It is pursuing extremely unwise policies on energy and transport that are leading our nation down a dangerous road into further dependence on, and vulnerability to, increasing fossil fuel prices. As stated in the (suppressed) 2009 Bolland Report on the costs and benefits of rail freight — the benefit differential increases in rail’s favour (vs road) as fuel costs rise.

We must hold KiwiRail to its statement that the future of the line will be decided on its future potential.

If this Government refuses to provide the necessary funding to get this railway back on track, New Zealanders will be left wondering what they’re really up to.

ALAN WILLIAM PRESTON

Mangawhai, Northland

It’s also one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world! It would be a shame if it closed permanently.

TORBJÖRN LUNDGREN, Sweden
Comments
Peter Jones
04:54 p.m. Monday, Aug 20, 2012
Ask the local "Banksters".
NeilWard
04:23 p.m. Monday, Aug 20, 2012
Napier airport is scaling up to get jets, ie bigger planes. This should transpire to more tourists. Now a train trip to Gisborne would be a must, as the countryside and sea views are as good as anywhere in the world. This opportunity along with old and new commercial customers would see financial viability restored. Keep rail for profit's sake.
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