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
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.
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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
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.
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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".
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 5:30pmTuesday 22nd SeptLast time was a gorgeous misty silvery mix of community and our beautiful coastline, lets enjoy it againPlease forward this on to anyone else who might catch the train,Thanks, Kaia
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.
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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".
Hustle and bustle returns to Dunedin Railway Station
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.
Full details can be read here:
http://taieri.co.nz/images/TGR-3203B.PDF (it's a downloadable PDF document)
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
Submission time for the commuter train has rolled around. You can
make a substantial contribution to the push to get a commuter train by
writing a submission or two.
We have made a detailed submission asking for a feasibility study
regarding the train and specifying what we would like the Otago
Regional Council to cover in this study. It includes the petition
that began its life at the Waitati meeting many of you were at, and
would be greatly supported by a flood of other submissions from you
and any one you know.
To make a submission to the Long Term Council Community Plan fill in
the form below (deleting this part of email and forwarding to email
address listed below) or fill in the attached form. Explain why you
would like a commuter train and how you would use it. The submission
can be emailed, faxed or posted (no signature is required for the
email).
It has to be in by the 1st May.
It would be excellent if you could also make a submission to the Otago
Regional Land Transport Programme – this is the second attachment and
just as simple.
Please, please, forward this email on to anyone you know who would
like a commuter train. It would also be helpful if community groups,
businesses and schools could put in submissions too so pass it on to
any you are involved with.
Email us if you have any questions,
Kaia
Please write your comments below and send your submission by 1 May to:
Long Term Council Community Plan,
Otago Regional Council
Private Bag 1954, Dunedin
Fax: 03 479 0015
Email: ltccp@orc.govt.nz
Name or representative:
Organisational Name (if applicable):
Business Hours Telephone:
After Hours Telephone:
Date:
Would like to present your submission in person (hearings will be held
during the weeks starting 11th May 09) -answer yes or no:
My submission is:
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from Get the Train group
Leonie
waiting for the train @ Michies Crossing
here it comes...
inside the lovely, old carriage
the morning sun just coming through
heading towards Dunedin
Copyleft photo by Peter Dowden, may be freely re-edited and republished.
