Articles tagged with Rail Minister
South Island Rail Rebuild Boosts Economy with New Hub and Locomotives
6 days ago | 86 viewsThe rail system in the South Island is being rebuilt with a new maintenance hub in Christchurch and 66 new DM Class locomotives to boost the national economy and improve efficiency. These investments, totaling $1.2 billion since 2019, have enhanced fuel economy, hauling power, and schedule reliability, contributing to KiwiRail's $73 million half-year profit and a 7% increase in rail freight volumes. The project reflects a shift from road to rail freight, emphasizing the government's commitment to maximizing taxpayer-funded infrastructure value.
Tags: rail system national economy Christchurch South Island Rail Minister Winston Peters Julius Vogel Waltham Mechanical Hub DM Locomotives KiwiRailMarlborough Council Starts Consultation on $110M Port Marlborough Ferry Upgrade
2 weeks ago | 197 viewsThe Marlborough District Council has begun consulting on funding Port Marlborough’s $110 million contribution to revenue-generating port assets in Picton, supporting new resilient ferries for road, rail, and passengers. This initiative, part of a $531 million budget for Picton works, aims to replace ferries while saving taxpayers $2.3 billion and securing long-term infrastructure for the Interislander and Bluebridge services. The proposal is designed to cost no additional ratepayer funds, with dividends from Port Marlborough benefiting the community and taxpayers funding the balance through Ferry Holdings.
Tags: Marlborough District Council Port Marlborough Picton Rail Minister Winston Peters Interislander Bluebridge Local Government Act Ferry Holdings taxpayerKiwiRail Boosts Performance with $73M Surplus and 7% Volume Growth
2 months ago | 358 viewsKiwiRail 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 IslandTe Huia Passenger Rail Service Extended for One Year by NZ Transport Agency
2 months ago | 370 viewsRail 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 serviceGovernment Saves $2.3 Billion with New Interislander Ferries and Infrastructure
5 months ago | 529 viewsThe 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 StraitNew Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds
6 months ago | 670 viewsThe 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 iReXNew Ferries Secured for Next 30 Years by Ferry Holdings: Design and Delivery Details
8 months ago | 733 viewsFerry 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 TasmaniaNew Zealand Rail Heritage Trust Receives Boost for Restoration Efforts
8 months ago | 778 viewsRail 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