Invest in rail, subsidies flow

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Once most heavy freight trucks are off the road when the rail is reinstated, these are the organisations and people who will benefit:

First, the NZ Transport Agency will save hugely on the maintenance and upgrading of highways.

Next, the decrease in congestion on the roads will mean fewer vehicle accidents and vast savings for ACC — leading to a reduction in our ACC levies.

Fewer vehicle accidents also means a saving for insurance companies, so a lowering of our insurance premiums.

Less diesel for road transport means less oil being imported, so a lowering of our overseas debt — and also a reduction of diesel fumes . . . ?especially after all railway lines are electrified, enhancing our overseas reputation of being clean and green.

As well as the convenience of food and drink and toilets on the train, there is electricity for PlayStations, laptops and for charging phones.

You can probably add several more advantages of rail travel.

So forget about money subsidising rail but subsidising road, ACC levies, insurance premiums, global warming and overseas debt. Let’s consider rail as an essential service that benefits the whole country.

Graham Gibson