26th October 2022
On Wednesday morning Restore Passenger Rail supporters will block Wellington traffic, while Zooming their submission to the select committee inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail in New Zealand. The committee’s live stream will be available at: https://www.facebook.com/TISCNZ/
A livestream of the road block will be on: https://www.facebook.com/restorepassengerrailnz/
“Today we’re Zooming in from the roadblock to those at the heart of decision making in Aotearoa New Zealand.” said spokesperson Rosemary Penwarden.
“Our message to the Minister of Transport is – commit to restoring an affordable nationwide passenger rail system. The current NZ Rail Plan includes freight and tourism, but very little passenger rail. Successive governments have made passengers take the back seat.”
Minister of Transport Hon Michael Wood last week urged Restore Passenger Rail protestors to engage constructively.
“What is more constructive than sounding the alarm as we’re accelerating off the cliff towards an unlivable future? People like us have been civilly sounding the alarm for decades and been totally ignored,” said Penwarden.
“We are here because emissions continue to rise while you who hold the power are not fulfilling your duty of care to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. That is a dangerous act of utter neglect.”
“Transport emissions, the fastest growing contributor to New Zealand’s emissions, can be solved. An affordable, accessible nationwide passenger rail system is part of the solution.”
The Restore Passenger Rail campaign was officially launched on Tuesday 27 September when campaigners delivered the ultimatum to a number of MPs outside the Parliamentary Library. This is their third week of action.
Restore Passenger Rail supporters have asked for a meeting with Transport Minister Michael Wood but have yet to receive a reply.