KiwiRail needs to fix problems with its systems and training for responding to foul weather and stay up to date with how well third parties maintain their waterways in the rail corridor, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); A new report on a train derailment in stormy weather near Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, in January 2023, identifies systemic safety issues. Continue →

The Government’s $466 million Budget 2024 investment in rail adds to the $4.7 billion committed over the last five years, with KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy saying it highlights a commitment to reliable public transport in Auckland and Wellington and supporting export growth nationally echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The metropolitan rail networks Budget 2024 includes $159 million to complete Auckland’s Rail Network Rebuild and $107 million for overdue track renewals in Auckland and Wellington and assistance covering council contributions. Continue →

The future of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Auckland and Hamilton is uncertain, but a review of its performance so far shows that it has delivered or is close to delivering all the targets set by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Board (NZTA) echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The interim performance assessment completed by Waikato Regional Council, is due to be discussed at this week’s Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee and will go to an NZTA Board meeting later in May for a decision on continuation of the five-year trial based on current rates of subsidy. Continue →

The new Fairfield Freight Hub has been described as a “game changer” for Mid Canterbury, which will help shift trucks off the busy highway and keep Ashburton moving By Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy Reporter PHOTO JONATHAN LEASK/LDR. Continue →

The Government plans to work with Auckland Council to implement time of use road charging to reduce congestion and improve travel time reliability. Continue →

The draft Government Policy Statement for Land Transport focuses more money than ever before on state highways, at the expense of public transport, walking and cycling. Continue →

The premature end of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax (ARFT) marks the third time in 30 years a National-led government has repealed such a tax, and is a clear example of New Zealand’s lack of direction when it comes to infrastructure, writes the University of Auckland’s Dr Timothy Welch echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); When the National Party announced its plan to scrap the Auckland regional fuel tax at the end of June, it removed a significant source of infrastructure funding for the region. Continue →

As KiwiRail enters talks to terminate plans for its new Interislander ferries, transport planner Nicolas Reid explores the feasibility of other options to link the North and South Islands echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The first question to ask is why would we even want a fixed link between the islands – what are the reasons we might have to replace the interislander ferry? Continue →

No one is asking for a Japanese bullet train, but their standard 160km/h services on the other hand already run on the same narrow gauge as New Zealand – it wouldn’t be hard or expensive to do here, transport commentator Ben Ross says echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The idea of hourly inter-city passenger train services between Auckland to Hamilton, and every two hours out to Tauranga, is not so farfetched. Continue →

Light rail was a key part of Labour’s policy platform when they were elected to office in 2017 – they were even handed a scheme by Auckland Transport that had seen significant design work already undertaken, yet in six years nothing was achieved and the project has been cancelled, Greater Auckland’s Matt Lowrie says echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); I continue to feel disappointed and frustrated at the previous government for botching this project so badly that it was further from becoming a reality in 2023 than it was when they took it over in 2017. Continue →

Once again New Zealand’s rail network is under existential threat, warns Michael van Drogenbroek, following the new Government’s decision to pull the plug on ferries that would have provided a seamless freight connection between the North and South Islands echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); I am sure the cancellation of the Interisland Project IREX has come as a big shock to many – but really is it such a shock? Continue →

While the new government puts the brakes on light rail in Auckland, Sydney is steaming ahead with its new 24-kilometre metro line and is making plans for extra stations to encourage tens of thousands of new houses echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); Contruction of the Sydney Metro West started in 2020 and when completed in 2032 it will connect Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. Continue →

A new report by Doppelmayr New Zealand reveals that in our busiest cities, urban cable car solutions could shave 30 minutes off a commuter’s travel time and reduce congestion as they have done overseas echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);Instituto De Desarrollo Urbano Doppelmayr New Zealand has taken the next step in its ambition to enter New Zealand’s public transport market through the release of its Urban Transport Solutions Report, which makes the case for urban cable car solutions in Aotearoa. Continue →

Upping the cost of fuel to incentivise cleaner travel options will only work if those options are available in the first place, says Malcolm McCracken in Better Things Are Possible echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0);   The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a cap-and-trade scheme operating in New Zealand that places a price on domestic carbon emissions (excluding agriculture), creating a financial incentive for businesses and individuals to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable practices. Continue →

Developed in the UK, the Pothole Pro can fix potholes in just 8 minutes and is changing the way road maintenance is done worldwide echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The Pothole Pro repairs potholes in a fraction of the time and cost of current manual labour methods. Continue →

When KiwiRail disconnected a level-crossing in Christchurch, no form of temporary traffic management was put in place and a bus was almost hit by a passing locomotive, but who was at fault? Continue →

The identification of a pipeline of infrastructure projects will be well received by the construction sector bringing a higher degree of certainty to future workflows and assisting in long-term planning, Colliers says echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The National Party, poised to lead the next government, will be expected to deliver on its campaign promises. Continue →

Sweden is the latest country to adopt low-emission zone measures after it announced plans to ban petrol and diesel cars from Stockholm city centre, Movemnt reports echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The City of Stockholm has announced that it will be introducing a progressive low-emission zone in parts of the city centre to help improve air quality and increase the health of pedestrians and infants. Continue →

The use of cranes was not feasible underground, so the contractor employed an ingenious solution echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); The Cross River Rail project aimed to alleviate congestion in Brisbane’s metro transport system and improve transportation for the growing population. Continue →

The deletion of one line in the Land Transport Management (Regulation of Public Transport) Amendment Act now means that public transport that crosses a regional boundary is still subject to the objectives and policies of any applicable regional public transport plan, Darren Davis writes echo adrotate_group(33, 0, 0, 0); Numerous submitters to the Land Transport Management (Regulation of Public Transport) Amendment Bill, implementing the Sustainable Public Transport Framework, pointed out that there was no sound public policy rationale for treating inter-regional public transport any differently than intra-regional public transport. Continue →