Alongside delays and disruptions, Kalasih feared if KiwiRail did not address the issues on its ferries, it would one day prove fatal.
He said if a ferry lost steering, particularly in a high-risk area like Wellington heads, it “could get beached or sink”.
The Kaitaki berthed at Kaiwharawhara after spending the night anchored in Wellington harbour with passengers aboard. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Public Transport Users Association national coordinator Jon Reeves said the ferries were an integral link between the North and South Island and their current state was not good enough.
“Basically the Interislander ferry is part of our State Highway 1 and national railway network. It needs to be treated with as much importance as the rest of the roading and railway network.”
Federated Farmers transport spokesman Mark Hooper said the country’s vulnerable roading infrastructure network was a major worry for producers, and that included the ferries.
Delays could put animal welfare at stake and certainty was needed over how long livestock would be in transit.
The Kaitaki has already been investigated by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission after it lost power in January.
A preliminary report found it was caused in part by KiwiRail’s failure to replace safety-critical parts, which were years past their use-by dates.
Wellington harbourmaster Grant Nalder said the ferry had been much scrutinised since.
The ferry has since been fixed and returned to service.
