Train update

This was meant to go to the post a couple of weeks ago, sorry:

The Walk2Work train was a resounding success with 235 people catching it into Dunedin and 155 home.  Thank you everybody for supporting it.

Now we would like a train for Car Free Day 22 Sept 2010!!  We need to get funding from the NZ Land Transport Authority for this.

We had a meeting with Charlotte Flaherty from the DCC, Grant and Lynette from Taieri Gorge who have been amazing organising the Walk2Work train.  We talked about doing our own feasibilty study for a train, developing a relationship with KiwiRail, organising continuing Walk2Work and Car Free day trains, or maybe combining one of these with the suburban rail day, fixing up stations along the route (Port Chalmers have a wonderful sign at Upper Port Chalmers station now) maybe we can put signs at the other stations.  We also talked about writing to MP's for support.

If anybody would like to help out writing letters and coming to meetings please call me - Danielle:  482 1233.

There is a review of the Regional Land Transport Strategy, for the next 30 years, going on now.  Submissions will be called for later this year by the ORC.  The Regional Public Transport Plan will be reviewed next year!  

So a bit to think about!

Best wishes,

Danielle

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

235 commuters take the morning train

235 commuters take the morning train

by 'Blueskin News' editors

At least two hundred and thirty-five commuters caught the morning
train from Waitati and Port Chalmers to Dunedin this Wednesday morning
in a one-day revival of rail commuting organised by the Dunedin City
Council, Taieri Gorge Railway and rail transport advocate group Get
the Train.

Final passenger numbers were still to be calculated from ticket sales,
train staff said.

Several children used the train to travel to Purakanui School, Port
Chalmers School and Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School (at Maia), while the
train was also popular with pupils of several Dunedin high schools.

Those arriving late to school were able to use the the train as an
excuse, because the outward empty trip from Dunedin was delayed by
Wellington train control, according to train staff.

There will be a return trip from Dunedin to the coastal towns this
evening, departing at 5.30pm.

GET THE TRAIN (column): Remember the train on 10 March

Photo: Passengers on one of last year's commuter trains.

GET THE TRAIN (column): Remember the train on 10 March

by Get the Train Group and Peter Dowden

The 'Walk2Work week' commuter train is just under two weeks away, on
Wednesday 10th March.  This is our chance to show that Dunedin's North
Coast communities want a train service, so make it a day, and please
pass the word on.

No bookings required, and the fare is just $5 cash each way on the
train. Bike compartment available (please help each other to load
bikes and board the train promptly; it is running to a very tight
schedule).

Timetable

Waitati                                 dep        7.40am

Michies Crossing                               7.45am

Osborne                                              7.55am

Purakaunui                                         8.00am

Mihiwaka                                            8.05am

Port Chalmers Upper                       8.10am

Sawyers Bay                                      8.15am

Maia                                                    8.25am

Dunedin                               arr          8.40am

Dunedin                               dep        5.30pm

Maia                                                     5.40pm

Sawyers Bay                                       5.50pm

Port Chalmers Upper                       6.00pm

Mihiwaka                                            6.15pm

Purakaunui                                         6:17pm

Osborne                                              6.20pm

Michies Crossing                               6.25pm

Waitati                                  arr          6.30pm

Get the Train Group is campaigning for safe, efficient regional train
services for Otago. More about Get the Train: getthetrain.blogspot.com

Remember the train!

Hi Everyone

Walk 2 work week with the commuter train is just over 2 weeks away, Wednesday 10th March.  This is our chance to show that North Coast Dunedin wants a train, make it a day, and please pass the word, send this email on.

No bookings required, $5 cash each way on the train.  Bike compartment available.  

Timetable as follows:

Waitati                                 dep        7.40am
Michies Crossing                               7.45am
Osborne                                              7.55am

Purakaunui                                         8.00am
Mihiwaka                                            8.05am
Port Chalmers Upper                       8.10am
Sawyers Bay                                      8.15am
Maia                                                    8.25am
Dunedin                               arr          8.40am

Dunedin                               dep        5.30pm
Maia                                                     5.40pm
Sawyers Bay                                       5.50pm
Port Chalmers Upper                       6.00pm
Mihiwaka                                            6.15pm

Purakaunui                                         6:17pm
Osborne                                              6.20pm
Michies Crossing                               6.25pm
Waitati                                  arr          6.30pm
 

                                    

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Get the train to work on 10 March (Waitati ad)

Wednesday 10th March

Get the train to work from Waitati at 7.40am or Michies Crossing at
7.45am – then stop off at the Octagon for:

• Free breakfast

• Entertainment

• Guest Speakers

• Information Stalls

Go to www.walk2work.org.nz to make a walking pledge, enter our
competitions and find out what else is happening.

All aboard the March Commuter Train

All aboard the March Commuter Train

by the editors

The rail transport advocate group 'Get the Train' is planning another
one-day-only Waitati-Dunedin-Waitati commuter train service during
Walk 2 Work Week next month, on March 10, spokesperson Danielle
Cameron told 'Blueskin News'.

"We really want to pack this train out so put it in your diaries now
and tell people."

The group was having a meeting at the end of January to organise the
train service, Danielle said. The service would be operated by Taieri
Gorge Railway with the help of Dunedin City Council.

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--
Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

March Commuter Train

Hi Everyone

This is an early, early, notice that there will be another commuter train in Walk 2 Work week next year on March 10th.  We really want to pack this train out so put it in your diaries now, send this email on, and tell people. 

We will be having a meeting at the end of January to organise publicity for this, let us know if you're interested in helping out.

Best wishes for your summer,

Get the Train group

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Train update

Hi Everybody - 

I guess it's time to build momentum for the train!  The ORC says rail is Central Govenment's responsibility - that may not necessarily be so.  We've decided to write a letter to the ORC in answer to this.  

We will also start to work at getting transport policy from all political parties, network with Taieri Gorge, Hillside, DCC and Sustainable Dunedin and generally keep the pot boiling and raise a head of steam as far as trains go.

We will organise a meeting in early February to see how we're going.  We just have to keep pushing!

Regards, Danielle 

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Story from Otago Daily Times Online

------------------------------------------------------------
People ride train to work on Car Free Day [1]
------------------------------------------------------------
[2]

Rain may have put many people off walking or biking to work yesterday, but 100
delighted and dry passengers took a Taieri Gorge Railway train into Dunedin for
World Car Free Day.

[1] http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/75006/people-ride-train-work-car-free-day
[2] http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/75006/people-ride-train-work-car-free-day

Commuters take the train to work

Photos by Magda Buchholz of the commuter train journey from Waitati to
Dunedin on World Car-free Day, Tuesday 22 September 2009.

1: Nancy Higgins of Warrington enjoys a coffee at Waitati Station.

2: The Waitati School PTA coffee stall, with Nicky Clarke and Sasha
Burnside-Woods (9).

3: Waitati acting Stationmaster Mandy Mayhem assisted by her son Max.

5: Mayor of Dunedin Peter Chin receives a bouquet from Danielle
Cameron of Get the Train. The flowers were gathered from passengers
and were presented in gradtitude to the council for organising the
train service.

--
--
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Half-million rail project

Photos by Rozalina Stoyanova: The resleepering project alongside State
Highway 1 at Blueskin Bay, and a close-up view of a track machine.

Half-million rail project

By 'Blueskin News' reporter Rozalina MacLeod

Ontrack, a subsidiary of Kiwirail, had nearly 60 men working on a two-day
maintenance project alongside Blueskin Bay on 18-19 September.

Robert Storm, a field engineer for renewals at Ontrack, told 'Blueskin
News' the sleeper laying project at Waitati was part of this year's
programmed work and cost over $500,000.

"Preparatory work started about 2 weeks ago and all work is expected
to be completed by mid October," Robert said. "We have now replaced
all the sleepers in this section but we still need to complete ballast
reconditioning and final track lifting and smoothing."

The job started at the track points at Waitati, where trains pass one
another, and the main line was resleepered with new concrete sleepers
for 2km towards Evansdale.

"Timber sleepers have a finite life and most of those in this area
were worn out or had suffered damage following a derailment a couple of
years ago," Robert explained. "Once completed this section of track
should be maintenance free for many years."

Hard work means hungry workers. Robert received many favourable
comments on the hearty lunches supplied through a reputable Waitati
eatery.

As 'Blueskin News' went to press, Ontrack were planning to work on a
1.5km section of track just north of Seacliff in the last weekend of
September.

--
--
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Catch the Train on Car-Free Day, Tuesday 22 September: Final details; a Bouquet to DCC; more trains the following week

The Commuter Train for Car Free Day provided by Dunedin City Council and Taieri Gorge Railway and promoted by Get the Train is running on schedule, departing Tuesday 22 September from Waitati at 7.30 and Sawyers Bay at 8.15.

Get the Train would like all Passengers to please bring a small bunch of flowers from your garden: this is to give a huge Bouquet to the Dunedin City Council for their support of Car Free Day. The Bouquet will be presented to the Council after the train arrives in Dunedin at 8.30am.

Taieri Gorge Railway will also operate more trains the following week: to Waitati and Port Chalmers on Wednesday 30 September 2009.

Approximate Timetable:

Dunedin dep 0905
Waitati arr 0945

Waitati dep 1000
Port Chalmers arr 1025
Port Chalmers dep 1045
Dunedin arr 1105

Dunedin dep 1135
Mosgiel arr 1155

Mosgiel dep 1210
Dunedin arr 1230

Dunedin dep 1305
Waitati arr 1345

Waitati dep 1415
Port Chalmers arr 1440
Port Chalmers dep 1500
Dunedin arr 1520

Dunedin dep 1550
Mosgiel arr 1610

Mosgiel dep 1630
Dunedin arr 1650

Bookings:
Ph 477 4449







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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Commuter train timetable

You will have all heard about the train by now, here is the confirmed timetable which is a little different: leaving Waitati 7:30am and Dunedin 5:30pm 

Tuesday 22nd Sept

Last time was a gorgeous misty silvery mix of community and our beautiful coastline, lets enjoy it again

Please forward this on to anyone else who might catch the train, 

Thanks, Kaia

Fwd: Catch the train on Car-Free Day

Dear Get the Train supporter,

There will be another Waitati/Dunedin/Waitati commuter train service on22 September. Full details in the DCC/TGR/GtT press release below.

There will also be another school holiday suburban train day on 30 September (not so suitable for commuters). Details of this to be announced later.

Please let us know if you don't enjoy receiving thse emails from Get the Train, and we'll remove you from our list.

Peter




Catch the train on Car-Free Day


Dunedin (Tuesday, 8 September) - Thousands of people will be taking to the streets in cities around the globe on Tuesday, 22 September to celebrate the annual World Car-Free Day.

In line with its sustainability vision and principles, the DCC are
supporting the day, both in-house with a competition for staff, and
city-wide by chartering a commuter train from Taieri Gorge Railway for the Waitati/Dunedin route.

The DCC are keen to encourage people to use alternatives to the
private car, such as walking, cycling and using public transport,
because this can bring many environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions that arise from burning fossil fuels, improving air quality locally, reducing noise levels, improving safety
for other road users, and resulting in a more pleasant city
environment for everyone, as well as health benefits for the
individual.

The train is primarily aimed at commuters, although it is open to
anyone. It will depart from Waitati at 7.15am, calling at Michies
Crossing, Osbourne, Purakaunui, Mihiwaka, Sawyers Bay, and Maia on the
way, and arriving in Dunedin at 8.15am.

The return trip departs from Dunedin Railway Station at 5.45pm.
Tickets are $5 per person each way and can be booked from the Taieri Gorge Railway booking office on 477 4449.

Purakaunui/Waitati-based public transport advocacy group 'Get the
Train' will assist DCC and TGR in promoting the train service in the
rural area.

--
--
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

--
--------------------------

from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Catch the train on Car-Free Day

Catch the train on Car-Free Day

Dunedin (Tuesday, 8 September) - Thousands of people will be taking to
the streets in cities around the globe on Tuesday, 22 September to
celebrate the annual World Car-Free Day.

In line with its sustainability vision and principles, the DCC are
supporting the day, both in-house with a competition for staff, and
city-wide by chartering a commuter train from Taieri Gorge Railway for
the Waitati/Dunedin route.

The DCC are keen to encourage people to use alternatives to the
private car, such as walking, cycling and using public transport,
because this can bring many environmental benefits, including reducing
greenhouse gas emissions that arise from burning fossil fuels,
improving air quality locally, reducing noise levels, improving safety
for other road users, and resulting in a more pleasant city
environment for everyone, as well as health benefits for the
individual.

The train is primarily aimed at commuters, although it is open to
anyone. It will depart from Waitati at 7.15am, calling at Michies
Crossing, Osbourne, Purakaunui, Mihiwaka, Sawyers Bay, and Maia on the
way, and arriving in Dunedin at 8.15am.

The return trip departs from Dunedin Railway Station at 5.45pm.
Tickets are $5 per person each way and can be booked from the Taieri
Gorge Railway booking office on 477 4449.

Purakaunui/Waitati-based public transport advocacy group 'Get the
Train' will assist DCC and TGR in promoting the train service in the
rural area.

--
--
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

ORC submission response

Hello on this rainy night

The Otago Regional Council's response to our submission for a feasibility study on commuter rail in Dunedin is:

No they won't do a feasibility study because it is Central Government that look after rail infrastructure.

We are looking at approaching Central Government and thinking of having a meeting about this in September, if you have any thoughts about the next step or are keen to come to the meeting please be in touch.

Regards,

Kaia

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Blueskin News has forwarded a page to you from Channel 9 | Online

Blueskin News thought you would like to see this page from the Channel 9 | Online web site.

Message from Sender:

Hustle and bustle returns to Dunedin Railway Station

300 People Take A Return Trip To Waitati From Dunedin
by timj

Another indication that city residents find trains to be a popular form of travel was made today, as almost 300 people took a return trip to Waitati from Dunedin.

While commuters north of Dunedin have shown interest in reinstating a morning and evening commuters train, it appears the Regional Council are not as keen.

Click here to read more on our site

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Channel 9, Dunedin Television. Your city, Your stories on any screen. http://www.ch9.co.nz

Holiday one day train

Hi everyone

There is a train for a day on this coming Wednesday, 15th July.

It leaves Waitati at 10:35 arrives Dunedin 11:30  (the train continues on through to Mosgiel but I don't have the times for that)

Leaves Dunedin 2:10  arrives Waitati 3

Leaves Waitati 3:15

The fare is $10, (this needs to be paid in cash on the train) if you want to get on at any of the smaller stations ring and book 477 4449

Pass the word on and I hope you can enjoy it

Kaia

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com

Taieri Gorge Railway is running Suburban Trains all day on Wednesday
15 July from 8.20am, with services between Dunedin, Mosgiel, Port
Chalmers, Purakaunui and Waitati.

Full details can be read here:

http://taieri.co.nz/images/TGR-3203B.PDF (it's a downloadable PDF document)

Joint media advisory: Regional Council document ignores rail's potential

Joint media advisory

issued by

Get the Train

and

Taieri Gorge Railway

Rail groups who have made submissions on the Otago Regional Council's Draft Land Transport Strategy have noted that the Council staff preparing the report have not discussed rail's potential role in meeting the Region's transport needs.

The Otago Regional Council's draft dismisses rail in 28 words as "out of the  scope" of the strategy. A search of similar regional strategies reveals, not surprisingly, that Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regional governments all give a great deal of thought to rail's role in their metropolises.

The cover of Auckland's Regional Land Transport Strategy is dominated by a photo of a passenger train. The Otago draft has a photo of an empty road.

Get the Train spokesperson Ross Johnston points out that "Even the Environment Southland regional transport strategy devotes about half a page to rail's role and potential in their province. To be exact, 273 words to 28, about ten-to-one. It's embarrassing to have our southern cousins running rings around us in transport planning, like they do in netball."

The Southland strategy concludes Opportunities for the use of rail to transport goods should be facilitated where practical.

Get the Train will present their submission to the Otago Regional Council at 2pm on Tuesday 19 May, and will table the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Southland strategies.

Get the Train wants the Council to add a chapter to the Strategy giving an inventory of Otago's rail facilities and discussing their potential to assist in the Region's transport , environmental and social needs.

Grant Craig, operations manager of Taieri Gorge Railway says "Rail under the ORC comes second best or not at all! Rail throughout the world is seeing marked growth especially in passenger services and at least the ORC should have a policy at looking at rail as an alternative to road."

ENDS

Contact details:

Get the Train:

• by email: Ross Johnston -- jpl@callsouth.net.nz
• by mobile after 2pm: Dell McLeod 027 668 0089
• by phone: Danielle Cameron 482 1233

Taieri Gorge Railway

Grant Craig or Murray Bond: Ph 4774449 Extn 820 or 0274 822895




APPENDIX

Extracts from various Regional Council strategies

Draft Otago Regional Land Transport Programme 2009 - 2012: "Strategic planning of, and improvements to, the rail network—whether the main trunk line or Taieri Gorge railway—is outside the scope of this regional land transport strategy." (p6)

Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy 2007 - 2016: "Rail is a prominent mode here and the programme proposes early reversal of the long term neglect of rail infrastructure." (p5)
"The rail network is particularly important in the Wellington region, providing the key medium to long distance and high volume passenger transport service between the Wellington City CBD and the region's
other centres and townships, and vital freight connections. Rail connections to CentrePort and the Cook Strait ferries mean the region's rail network is of national importance." (p19) link:
http://www.gw.govt.nz/story_images/4361_Recommended_RLTS_s8634.pdf

Auckland Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy 2005 'Moving Forward' Summary document: "Rail has considerable under-used potential for the efficient movement of passengers and freight through the
region. Rail is not subject to the same congestion that leads to
inefficiencies with road- based transport. Rail users should be able
to move seamlessly to other forms of public transport." (page10)
link:http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/fms/main/Documents/Transport/RLTS/RLTS%20Summary%20Document.pdf.

Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2005-2015: "Rail is an integral part of our regional land transport network. It provides an alternative to some road-based trips for both people and freight. Where increased use of rail can be cost-effectively used, it can provide benefits through reduced road maintenance costs, lower environmental effects and by making our roads safer and more pleasant." (p29) link:
www.ecan.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/D0FDB7F9-DF57-4207-9B1F-75B0365DE10C/0/RLTS.pdf

Southland Regional Land Transport Strategy: "The existing rail freight service in Southland is limited to the South Island main trunk line, which generally follows the same alignment as State Highway 1, and the
Ohai and Bluff branch lines. Notwithstanding the limited area served, rail is a significant carrier of freight into and out of the region.
Short haul services are also available, particularly to and from the Port of Bluff. A number of Southland's large industries have sidings providing direct
access to their site.
The Ohai line runs for 79 kilometres from Invercargill to Ohai, with principal freight including refrigerated meat products for export from the Makarewa and Lorneville freezing works, and coal from Ohai to supply markets predominantly in Otago and Canterbury. The line is generally in a poor state of repair and is
operated on a maintenance only basis, partly because of the decrease in rail freight due to the increased trucking of freight by road.
A small tourist line operates between Fairlight and Kingston, where the steam train the Kingston Flyer operates. With the exception of this passenger service, all train traffic in Southland relates to the carriage of goods and cargo. However, the presence of rail lines
enables the option of reintroducing passenger services at any time in the future.
Rail provides an alternate, and at times a more economic, means of moving freight. It also reduces the number of heavy vehicles carrying freight on roads, enhancing road safety and improving environmental
quality. As a consequence, it is beneficial to facilitate and encourage growth in the rail sector.

Implication: Opportunities for the use of rail to transport goods should be facilitated where practical." (p9) link:
http://www.es.govt.nz/Documents/Regional%20Land%20Transport/Southland%20Regional%20Land%20Transport%20Strategy.pdf

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from Get the Train group

getthetrain.blogspot.com