Articles tagged with Rail Minister

KiwiRail Boosts Performance with $73M Surplus and 7% Volume Growth

2 weeks ago | 175 views

KiwiRail has shown significant improvement, achieving a $73.4 million operating surplus and a 7% increase in volumes due to focused commercial discipline and upgraded rolling stock. Investments in modern locomotives, better maintenance funded by legislative changes, and improved infrastructure have enhanced schedule reliability and reduced disruptions from natural events. Additionally, Interislander maintained 100% reliability during peak periods, demonstrating the success of KiwiRail’s strategic focus on reliability, cost control, and asset renewal.

Tags: KiwiRail Winston Peters Suzanne Tindal New Zealand Dunedin Hillside Workshops Stadler locomotives Interislander Infrastructure Commission Rail Minister South Island

Te Huia Passenger Rail Service Extended for One Year by NZ Transport Agency

3 weeks ago | 178 views

Rail Minister Winston Peters welcomes the New Zealand Transport Agency’s decision to extend the Waikato-Auckland passenger rail service Te Huia by one year. The service, funded to refurbish carriages and build a depot, faced challenges due to Covid-19 but has since gained strong patronage and high customer satisfaction. The extension allows for a fair assessment of the service, which has become a key commuter and city connector.

Tags: New Zealand Transport Agency Te Huia Rail Minister Winston Peters KiwiRail Hamilton Waikato Regional Council commuter rail service

Government Saves $2.3 Billion with New Interislander Ferries and Infrastructure

3 months ago | 385 views

The Government has secured two new Interislander ferries from Guangzhou Shipyard International under a $596 million fixed-price contract, with the total program costing less than $2 billion and saving taxpayers $2.3 billion by cutting expensive consultancy and excessive infrastructure. Funding for the infrastructure will be recovered through port fees and Interislander is expected to build reserves for future ferry replacements, operating like a normal business. The project is managed by Ferry Holdings with support from CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail, emphasizing fiscal discipline and minimizing disruption, while also strengthening economic ties with China.

Tags: Winston Peters Guangzhou Shipyard International Ferry Holdings CentrePort Port Marlborough KiwiRail Interislander Bluebridge Rail Minister Cook Strait

New Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds

5 months ago | 508 views

The Government has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International to build two new ferries through Ferry Holdings Limited. Rail Minister Winston Peters highlighted GSI's expertise and capabilities as a leading shipbuilding enterprise in Southern China. Negotiations are ongoing, with details to be disclosed upon completion, including agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited, aiming for completion in 2029 with cost-effective solutions to benefit New Zealand taxpayers.

Tags: Government Ferry Holdings Limited Guangzhou Shipyard International Rail Minister Winston Peters GSI New Zealand taxpayers ferry replacement programme CentrePort Limited Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited project iReX

New Ferries Secured for Next 30 Years by Ferry Holdings: Design and Delivery Details

6 months ago | 586 views

Ferry Holdings has secured a preferred shipbuilder for two new ferries to serve passengers, road, and rail for the next 30 years, with a fixed price and completion in 2029. Rail Minister Winston Peters praised the swift procurement process and highlighted the importance of the letter of intent signed for technical negotiations. The new ferries will have specific dimensions, capacities, power, and safety features to ensure efficient and environmentally friendly transportation across the Cook Strait for the next three decades.

Tags: Ferry Holdings Winston Peters Rail Minister ship builder shipyards procurement process ship specification shipyard Cook Strait Tasmania

New Zealand Rail Heritage Trust Receives Boost for Restoration Efforts

6 months ago | 661 views

Rail Minister Winston Peters announced an increased annual contribution to the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand for restoring rail heritage buildings and structures. The Trust has restored various railway sites, including the Cass railway station, and aims to support more with local financial and volunteer help. KiwiRail is also repairing the historic rail footbridge at Moana and considering transferring ownership of the Mataura Railway Station to the Trust for restoration.

Tags: Rail Heritage Trust New Zealand annual contribution restoration efforts Rail Minister Winston Peters industrial heritage volunteer power engineering pride KiwiRail Sue Tindal