Saturday, August 25, 2012
Re: Nothing to transport, August 20 letter.
A Gizzy Local is obviously sold down the line, or the road as the case may be.
“No freight for rail” he says?
Facts are that right through until 1999 there were two freight trains per day rolling between Gisborne and Napier and further afield.
So, did all the freight just disappear? No, the rail company, which had been stripped of assets by the owners, ran out of money. The freight was forceably moved to trucks, even against the wishes of the clients.
The freight is still there to be moved, and with a usable rail line and good local freight forwarders it has started moving back.
It is a shame the National Party is against Gisborne rail; the value of the line is over a billion dollars and needs to be reopened immediately for the economic well-being of the region.
P.S. Fuel prices are now at near record levels again — move freight by rail, it’s cheaper for Gisborne.
JON REEVES
Birkenhead