{"id":58423,"date":"2023-02-13T15:35:22","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T02:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=58423"},"modified":"2025-05-20T14:04:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T02:04:49","slug":"why-restoring-long-distance-passenger-rail-makes-sense-in-new-zealand-for-people-and-the-climate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/why-restoring-long-distance-passenger-rail-makes-sense-in-new-zealand-for-people-and-the-climate\/","title":{"rendered":"Why restoring long-distance passenger rail makes sense in New Zealand \u2013 for people and the climate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.nz\/en\/pb\/sc\/business-before-committees\/document\/INQ_125787\/inquiry-into-the-future-of-inter-regional-passenger-rail\">parliamentary inquiry<\/a> into passenger rail drew 1700 submissions, suggesting growing support for the return of long-distance trains in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n\n<p>The government has committed the country to decarbonisation targets that require significant cuts to transport-related emissions. But decarbonising long-distance travel is not part of the plan \u2013 the national rail operator KiwiRail remains focused on freight.<\/p>\n\n<p>We argue the revival of long-distance passenger rail needs to be part Aotearoa\u2019s strategy to bring emissions down.<\/p>\n\n<p>The arguments for intercity passenger rail centre on connecting communities, equity in transport options, reduced emissions and lower energy use.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-end-of-the-decline\">The end of the decline?<\/h2>\n\n<p>After a long decline \u2013 detailed in Andr\u00e9 Brett\u2019s history of the New Zealand network <a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/press\/books\/otago830586.html\">Can\u2019t Get There From Here<\/a> \u2013 there were some gains in 2022.<\/p>\n\n<p>Following initial plans to turn it into a tourist train, the Northern Explorer is back running between Auckland and Wellington. Passenger numbers on Te Huia, a rail service between Auckland and Hamilton, have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tehuiatrain.co.nz\/assets\/Te-Huia\/Patronage-reports\/December-2022-Te-Huia-patronage-data.pdf\">doubled<\/a> \u2013 helped by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beehive.govt.nz\/release\/cost-living-support-extended-families-and-businesses\">half-price fares<\/a> \u2013 since its launch in April 2021.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">There&#39;s a long list of reasons why a passenger rail network wouldn&#39;t work in Aotearoa. Here&#39;s why they&#39;re all rubbish. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/glfsSTy068\">https:\/\/t.co\/glfsSTy068<\/a><\/p>&mdash; The Spinoff (@TheSpinoffTV) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheSpinoffTV\/status\/1585697838897430534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 27, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p>The commuter train Capital Connection attracts good passenger numbers on its week-day only run between Wellington and Palmerston North, despite old and unreliable rolling stock. Work is underway on improving passenger rail near <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beehive.govt.nz\/release\/wellington-rail-upgrades-steaming-ahead\">Wellington<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-campaigning-for-rail\">Campaigning for rail<\/h2>\n\n<p>Several new campaigns are pushing for further improvements to passenger rail.<\/p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allrailways.co.nz\/\">Save Our Trains<\/a> is seeking a \u201ccomprehensive national strategy for inter-regional passenger rail services built around concerns for climate action, accessibility, affordability and economic development\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/makingrailwork.com\/\">Making Rail Work<\/a> has developed a proposal to reinstate the Kaimai Express linking Auckland and Tauranga. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ruapehudc.govt.nz\/repository\/libraries\/id:2dyphjrmg1cxby65trfv\/hierarchy\/sitecollectiondocuments\/KiwiRail\/North%20Island%20Regional%20Passenger%20Rail%20Study%2C%20Aug%2022.pdf\">report<\/a> for local government supported the case for more frequent services linking North Island towns.<\/p>\n\n<p>Arguing for the restoration of the Auckland\u2013Wellington night train, public transport planner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greaterauckland.org.nz\/2021\/07\/21\/is-there-a-case-for-an-overnight-sleeper-train-between-auckland-and-wellington\/\">Nicolas Reid<\/a> suggested such a service \u201cwould have the potential to replace up to 150,000 long-distance car trips or flights per year\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<p>Most controversially, the group <a href=\"https:\/\/restorepassengerrail.nz\/\">Restore Passenger Rail<\/a> staged a series of nonviolent direct actions to draw attention to the issue, closing motorways and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/nz\/restore-passenger-rail-protesters-secure-meeting-with-transport-minister\/4KP4WJLK7ZCGBA4FAK7KLDCSGM\/\">attempting<\/a> (unsuccessfully) to address the cross-party inquiry into passenger rail from the top of a motorway gantry.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rail-cuts-transport-emissions\">Rail cuts transport emissions<\/h2>\n\n<p>Transport comprises 45% of Aotearoa\u2019s domestic carbon dioxide emissions, but it is hard to decarbonise. It requires a combination of changes to technology, behaviour and infrastructure. But the significant emission and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/eight-charts-show-how-aggressive-railway-expansion-could-cut-emissions\/\">energy<\/a> benefits of using intercity and regional rail, rather than driving or flying, are well established globally.<\/p>\n\n<p>New Zealand\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/environment.govt.nz\/what-government-is-doing\/areas-of-work\/climate-change\/emissions-reduction-plan\/\">emissions reduction plan<\/a> aims for a 20% reduction (per capita) in driving by 2035, through improved urban planning and better travel options. But it does not mention intercity rail.<\/p>\n\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/planning-and-investment\/learning-and-resources\/transport-data\/data-and-tools\/\">half<\/a> of all kilometres driven are on the state highway network, this is a major omission. Auckland Council\u2019s transport emission reduction plan also aims to reduce domestic aviation emissions by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz\/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws\/our-plans-strategies\/Documents\/transport-emissions-reduction-pathway.pdf\">half<\/a> by 2030, before promised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/359413739_Managing_New_Zealand's_greenhouse_gas_emissions_from_aviation\">electric or hydrogen-powered planes<\/a> can make any real impact.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/509289\/original\/file-20230209-18-20daoe.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A graph showing carbon dioxide emissions for different modes of transport\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our World in Data, <a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz\/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws\/our-plans-strategies\/Documents\/transport-emissions-reduction-pathway.pdf\">Auckland<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/wellington.govt.nz\/climate-change-sustainability-environment\/climate-change\/what-were-doing-about-climate-change\">Wellington<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/newsline.ccc.govt.nz\/news\/story\/christchurch-sets-2045-carbon-neutral-target\">Christchurch<\/a> are important, but they only comprise half the population. Travel within and between the smaller cities must also be decarbonised, or the whole country will fail its targets.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-transport-investments-misplaced\">Transport investments misplaced<\/h2>\n\n<p>To reinstate fast and efficient passenger rail across Aotearoa, large capital and carbon investments are required. But that is partly because the rail network has been run down for decades, while considerable investment has gone into roads.<\/p>\n\n<p>Yet, these new roads create more traffic. Further road building, such as an expressway between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greaterauckland.org.nz\/2021\/06\/08\/the-nz-upgrade-blowout\/\">\u014ctaki and Levin<\/a>, is being promoted, even though we know this project has an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/assets\/projects\/otaki-to-north-of-levin\/docs\/technical-reports\/ibc\/Otaki-to-North-of-Levin-IBC-20181128.pdf\">extremely poor<\/a> economic return and will induce more driving.<\/p>\n\n<p>When good services are on offer, people tend to use them. In Auckland, the then rundown suburban train service was used by only one million people each year in 1994. But a range of improvements saw passenger numbers top 20 million in 2017, with further growth expected once the City Rail link is completed.<\/p>\n\n<p>Demographic changes support the return of passenger rail. Aotearoa has an aging population, especially in its smaller centres. Many lack airports and driving can become problematic for older age groups. Small towns have also lost many services and visits to bigger centres for medical appointments and other services have become more important.<\/p>\n\n<p>Most towns still have railway lines connecting them to larger centres. The remaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/320624713_Long-distance_Bus_Travel_Neglected_in_Public_Policy\">private coach network<\/a> suffers from infrequent service, poor quality and a lack of connectivity and integrated ticketing. If, in the UK, the rich take trains and the <a href=\"https:\/\/inequalityintransport.org.uk\/\">poor take buses<\/a>, we suspect in Aotearoa the rich fly or drive and the poor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/320624713_Long-distance_Bus_Travel_Neglected_in_Public_Policy\">take the bus<\/a> or don\u2019t travel at all.<\/p>\n\n<p>Not everyone drives, particularly children and old people; and of those who do drive, some would prefer not to. Internationally, we\u2019ve seen a long-term decline in the number of young people gaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/chart\/18682\/percentage-of-the-us-population-holding-a-drivers-license-by-age-group\/\">drivers\u2019 licences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>For those living in larger urban centres with good public transport and biking infrastructure or in 15-minute neighbourhoods, there is far less need to own a car. To make the necessary cuts to transport emissions in our larger cities, we need to re-imagine car ownership as an option rather than a necessity.<\/p>\n\n<p>It might be a lot to lay on the humble train, but civilisation is in a tight spot. We need to collectively halve emissions by 2030, while also laying the groundwork for a truly sustainable future. This means wise use of resources \u2013 long-lasting, economical infrastructure based on proven technology, combined with renewable electricity. Trains do that.<\/p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/robert-mclachlan-421911\">Robert McLachlan<\/a>, Professor in Applied Mathematics, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/massey-university-806\">Massey University<\/a><\/em> and <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/paul-callister-1376591\">Paul Callister<\/a>, Senior Associate Institute of Governance and Policy Studies, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/te-herenga-waka-victoria-university-of-wellington-1200\">Te Herenga Waka \u2014 Victoria University of Wellington<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n<p>This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-restoring-long-distance-passenger-rail-makes-sense-in-new-zealand-for-people-and-the-climate-199381\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-beige-100-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">This article\u00a0is a guest post and doesn&#8217;t necessarily represent the views of Greenpeace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A recent parliamentary inquiry into passenger rail drew 1700 submissions, suggesting growing support for the return of long-distance trains in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":58424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_planet4_optimize_post_is_variant":false,"_planet4_optimize_experiment_name":"","_planet4_optimize_variant_name":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"not set","p4_local_project":"not set","p4_basket_name":"not set","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[16],"p4-page-type":[6],"class_list":["post-58423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greenpeace","tag-climate","p4-page-type-story"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why restoring long-distance passenger rail makes sense in New 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