Light rail impresses

Press, 25 February 1985, Page 4

Light rail impresses

PA Auckland The Minister of Railways, Mr Prebble, who has returned from a visit to Japan, is excited by the possibilities that a new light rail system could have for New Zealand. Mr Prebble said at the week-end that he visited the manufacturer and operator of light rail systems during his one-week visit. He found that the systems, which are a cross between a train and a tram, worked well. Mr Prebble said the Government was studying all its railway stock, and both the

Southerner and the Northerner trains were coming to the end of their useful lives. One option being considered was the return of the Silver Star to the AucklandWellington run. The Railways Corporation had also been asked to consider the costs of a new train, such as a light rail one. Passenger numbers on New Zealand suburban trains suggested that this was an option which should be examined for city services as well, Mr Prebble said. Light rail was a possibility for the Auckland subur-

ban passenger service as the rolling stock there was old. Part of the Wellington system also needed to be refurbished or replaced. Mr Prebble said he could not go much further than to say that light rail had “exciting possibilities” which the Railways Corporation had not been allowed to consider under the National Government. The economics of such a system were much better than might at first be thought, but if this option were adopted the new trains should be built in New Zealand, Mr Prebble said.