Green Party rail proposal to open up lower North Island

The Green Party's Future of Transport proposal will expand railway routes across the lower North Island.

The Green Party's Future of Transport plan includes a fast daily passenger service connecting the regions to the main centres, including the Manawatu-Whanganui area.

Green Party transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter said the plan for fast inter-city rail will help reboot urban and regional economies while decarbonising some of the region's busiest transport routes.

"Our regions will play a crucial role in our recovery from Covid-19, but our regional transport infrastructure has been neglected for too long.

"The Green Party is making sure that places like Whanganui, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Marton, Palmerston North and Wairarapa are connected to the bigger cities, making it possible for more people to find affordable housing while still being able to easily connect with work, business, friends, and families in the cities.

"The plan would also support domestic tourism in Manawatū, by providing an easy way for people to get to and from there from Wellington, New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North."

Genter said the Future of Transport plan will create thousands of jobs while moving the country towards a low-carbon future.

"It's a win for the regions, and a win for climate action."

She said the regional rail plan would be delivered in two phases.

Phase one would see the Wellington to Palmerston North electrified and new daily passenger services introduced.

Phase two would extend passenger services to the northeast (including Marton, Whanganui, New Plymouth) and northwest (to Napier and then Gisborne).

Genter says trains would be travelling at 160km/h between Wellington and Palmerston North and 110km/h on the Marton and Whanganui extension, which is faster (and more relaxing) than driving.