The Future Is Rail
thefutureisrail.bsky.social
The Future Is Rail
@thefutureisrail.bsky.social
Let's build an inter-regional passenger rail network in Aotearoa NZ for people & our planet. #TheFutureIsRail #SaveOurTrains
There are only a few days left to make your submission to the government's disastrous transport plan. Don't know where to start? We can help!
📑 We've developed a guide with 5, 15 and 30+min options
🎉 We're hosting online 'Submission parties' this week
Everything is here: bit.ly/transport-gps
#nzpol
2024-04-02: Submit on National's Transport General Policy Statement
bit.ly
March 26, 2024 at 7:46 PM
RNZ points out that each kilometre of the Waikato Expressway cost nearly as much to build as Te Huia's entire whole FIVE YEAR operational budget. #nzpol #kikorangi

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How does Te Huia's subsidy compare to roads?
There is no doubt the train service between Auckland and Hamilton is highly subsidised - but roads are too, a researcher says.
www.rnz.co.nz
March 25, 2024 at 12:20 AM
We’ve teamed up with climate & transport advocates around the motu to help NZers have a say on the government’s disastrous draft transport plan (GPS 2024). On our new #transport4all site, you'll find lots of actions you can take, even if you can only spare 5 min transport4all.org.nz
transport4all.org.nz
March 18, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by The Future Is Rail
If you're in Wellington and care about the future of transport in Aotearoa, please come to Parliament TOMORROW (Tues 19 Mar) at 5pm.
The draft plan is a disaster for everyone - including motorists. We need to do everything we can to stop it becoming reality transport4all.org.nz/rally #nzpol
Rally
transport4all.org.nz
March 18, 2024 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by The Future Is Rail
Working with orgs like Climate Club NZ & Women in Urbanism, we @thefutureisrail.bsky.social have developed resources like a submission guide, with actions you can take in 5-min, 15-min & 30+min. Please use your voice before 2 April (Tuesday after Easter)! #nzpol transport4all.org.nz/submission-g...
Submission Guide
transport4all.org.nz
March 18, 2024 at 2:57 AM
Reposted by The Future Is Rail
Team. If you're one of the millions of NZers who use public transport, cycleways or footpaths (or you care about those who do), PLEASE consider supporting our new campaign #transport4all. It's in response to the govt's disastrous land transport draft that is currently open to submissions #nzpol
March 18, 2024 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by The Future Is Rail
"Our findings show that for many who live in public housing, access to reduced fares on public transport reduces their financial stress, gives them the ability to get to places they need, removes anxiety, and improves their wellbeing and social contact."
Cheaper buses helped those in 'transport poverty'
Cheaper public transport in Christchurch meant more people on lower incomes had more money for everyday essentials, including food, a new study...
www.odt.co.nz
February 20, 2024 at 8:42 PM
$46 billion for roads, while trains, buses, and ferries face cuts and underfunding. That is not a balanced transport policy. It's ideology, not policy. Our economy, environment, and social cohesion will pay the price. #nz www.newshub.co.nz/home/politic...
Nicola Willis says Government committed to coalition transport projects despite report showing they could cost double  | Newshub
She denied the new estimates had dented National's economic credibility.
www.newshub.co.nz
February 21, 2024 at 2:58 AM
Great to see our very own Dave Macpherson quoted in this article 👏👏👏 #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
New Zealand by train listed as fourth best place in world by The New York Times
The New York Times has voted New Zealand by train as the fourth best place to visit this year in the iconic '52 places' list.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 11, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by The Future Is Rail
Statement in response to the Interislander ferries debacle from @thefutureisrail.bsky.social www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO23...
December 15, 2023 at 10:44 PM
Pulling on the Interislander thread could unravel our national rail network. So, new ferries must be rail enabled. Otherwise the implications for employment, economic growth, and climate action are unfathomable. www.stuff.co.nz/travel/trave...
What will happen to Interislander ferries without Government funding?
Two new ferries had been expected to replace the ageing fleet, but the project would now be wound down.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 13, 2023 at 9:02 PM
Our friends at GenZero are  fighting to keep Auckland's light rail on the agenda of the new incoming government. To show your support, please consider signing their petition petitions.parliament.nz/5cff9d85-b36...
Petitions - New Zealand Parliament
Petitions are addressed to the House of Representatives and ask that the House do something about a policy or law, or put right a local or private concern.
petitions.parliament.nz
November 20, 2023 at 7:29 PM
The 'Golden Triangle' of Auckland, Waikato & the Bay of Plenty (BOP) is home to over 50% of NZ's population, and that's expected to rise in the coming decades. Calls for passenger rail connections between the regions are getting louder. Read Lindsey's report from the BOP regional transport committee
Strong support from the BOP Regional Transport Committee for Tauranga to Hamilton + Auckland passeng...
By Lindsey Horne
www.railconference.info
September 3, 2023 at 8:08 PM
It's annoying when people say they once saw a bus/train/cycleway with only a few people on it & use that as an excuse not to invest in them. Do they say the same about roads?
August 29, 2023 at 9:42 PM
Te Huia the only train service sanctioned over 'signal passed at danger' events
Te Huia the only train service sanctioned over 'signal passed at danger' events
Almost 30 other trains - including eight passenger services - also broke the rules recently, but were not blocked from running services.
www.rnz.co.nz
August 29, 2023 at 9:39 PM
New Zealanders want trains!

Along with Women in Urbanism we asked NZers to share their stories of what long distance trains meant to them and we got hundreds of responses. Here's just a small sample
August 28, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Great to see our friend Anthonie Tonnon featured here www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-ch...
Turning the tide for public transport
Better Whanganui public transport is a passion for professional musician Anthonie Tonnon.
www.nzherald.co.nz
August 24, 2023 at 9:14 PM
"Clearly, roads need to be maintained, and New Zealand’s road network has to be made more resilient to adverse weather impacts. But expanding road capacity at the expense of a more efficient rail system and improved public transport is a recipe for increasing emissions."
Slow train coming: only a genuine shift to rail will put NZ on track to reduce emissions
Both major parties are promising major road projects this election. Meanwhile, the potential for passenger and freight rail to help meet the country’s climate goals seems stuck at the station.
theconversation.com
August 22, 2023 at 7:58 PM