Passenger Hell

You might think that increased petrol prices driving more passengers onto buses and rail is a good thing, right. That is fine if you're a Coromandel Greenie who gets unlimited free taxis.

But if you're a Train Commuter, travel is becoming unbearable. By the time trains reach Waterloo station in morning rush hour, there are so few seats left that a crush ensues getting on the train. Most mornings the express services are so full the guards struggle to get through the mass of bodies. (The article

Now the problem is that Tranz Metro has not added any more carraiges to it's fleet since I was at primary school. It is still running the 'Red Rattler' carraiges from when Peter Fraser was Prime Minister - and still spending money on refurbishing them!

The solution would be to buy more carraiges. But after the Fay-Richwhite years when profits were high as capital costs were deferred, and then sold NZ Rail at a price based on the high profits, not factoring the high capital cost have left owners reluctant to spend even more on the company when Local and Central Government are willing to do so. And Local and Central Government are dragging their heals on providing funding.

The real solution to the commuter crush would be for the Regional Council to either stop subsidising public transport so that the cheapest, best provision will come to the fore, or subsidise every ticket equally, regardless.

Then we will see if Rail is really the best solution for Wellington. Or buses, or ferries.