Save the Overlander

Thousands more join battle to save Overlander
12 September 2006

Thousands more people have signed a petition to overturn the axing of the Overlander rail service.

Green MP Sue Kedgley led a party on the train between Wellington and Auckland yesterday and said support for its Save the Overlander petition was overwhelming. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people had now signed it.

Petitions with about 7000 signatures were given to her at stops during the journey, including one from Ruapehu Mayor Sue Morris at National Park with about 3000.

Operator Toll is axing the Overlander at the end of the month, blaming low passenger numbers. Several groups are continuing efforts to preserve or replace the service. A Wellington-based consortium is in talks with overseas rail operators over a plan to replace the Overlander with a luxury rail trip.

Officials from Finance Minister Michael Cullen's department are examining a proposal from the Rail and Maritime Union to transfer rolling stock and staff to Government track firm Ontrack, leaving current owner Toll to run the locomotives. Regional councils will hold further talks with Toll tomorrow, after meeting last week.

- The Dominion Post

Gee, I wish we'd known about the Overlander last time we were in NZ. We might have taken it rather than flown from AKL to WLG. ...I wonder if all those petition signers ride the train rather than drive?

My hubby and father in law ( who's over visiting) are going on the overlander on Monday!!! All the tickets were sold, but they managed to get 2 cancellation tickets!

And why am I not going I hear you ask? Cos I'll be working!!!!!

Fisheress

[MotherBear]

Must be good news if all the tickets were sold. I'd be interested to hear how hubby and f-i-l get on with the trip, as it's something we were talking about doing at some point. I like the thought of going by rail, as you can both sit back and enjoy the scenery without having to worry about the traffic or weird right-of-way rules.

[MotherBear]

Government considers lifeline for train service
24 September 2006
By RUTH LAUGESEN

The historic Overlander train link between Auckland and Wellington may yet be saved, with cabinet expected to consider tomorrow whether to give the service a stay of execution.

The Overlander was due to make its last journey this Saturday. However, the Sunday Star-Times understands cabinet will decide tomorrow whether to extend the service for six months or longer to allow more work on saving the service or finding an alternative.

Toll NZ, which says it is losing $1.75 million a year on the service, says it would need a subsidy to continue. But a Wellington consortium led by Thomas Manning of Manning Group Ltd says it could provide a commercially viable, upmarket scenic train on the route.

The consortium is promising sheepskin seating, digital entertainment and native wood interiors, along with food and beverages "showcasing New Zealand food and wine to airline business class standards". The Manning proposal would see the Overlander's pre-war trains replaced by three new purpose-built trains, and would be ready to go from January 1, 2009.

The consortium would seek $5m of the $30m in capital and start-up costs in a grant from the Ministry of Economic Development. The balance would come from consortium backers and by raising funds through the New Zealand Stock Exchange through a partial share float or secondary board listing.

Manning said the stunning scenery of the central North Island would be a strong drawcard for tourists. "The central North Island should be a New Zealand scenic icon along with the Milford Sound and the Bay of Islands," said Manning.

The 140-passenger trains, running twice a day, would feature large viewing windows and dining facilities. The service would be viable with the current 50,000 passengers a year, based on a $140 ticket price instead of the current $99.

Green MP Sue Kedgley welcomed cabinet's consideration of a stay of execution. "I think it would be absolutely criminal to let the service stop on September 30 without giving it our best shot to get a viable service." More than 24,000 people have signed a petition to save the service.

A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Michael Cullen's office refused to comment. The axing of the service would end a 97-year tradition. A daily Auckland-Wellington passenger train link began in 1909, a year after the main trunk line was completed.

[Welshgirl]

Just heard on the news, the Overlander will not be being saved - the government says it would be too costly :(

[MotherBear]

Damn 'n' blast! ?

Was really looking forward to a nice train ride. ?No traffic to worry about and you can just sit back and enjoy the passing scenery. ?Also it's one form of transport that doesn't give me motion sickness.

Ahh the Overlander, such a grand name for such a clapped out train! ?And as my better half says, apparently $1.5m per year is too expensive for the govt to support.

Of course, we'll say nothing about the costs involved in hiring private investigators to dish dirt on the opposition parties lately. ?Shameful!

Here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/sto...9D83027AF101A7

Here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/sto...F583027AF1002A

And here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/sto...3583027AF10017

[MotherBear]

Yes, I've been watching this progress and it's turning into a right mud slinging fest worthy of the UK.



Never mind about the train, Taffy, you can take me in the car instead and just make chuff chuffing noises as we go along. ?My imagination will take care of the rest. ?

There'll be no chuffing in my car, thank you!!