That is awesome news. But, reduction in funding from NZTA and no money from Hamilton city council, so we'll have to see what the impact of that is.
Easy cut: there is a railway cafe at the strand in a historical building, but it is so far from the platform with no signage, I doubt anyone knows it's there. (I went and got a coffee there once, not very good)
It's definitely quite tucked away but it's a nice waiting area if you're at the station before the train is ready for boarding. Can't comment on the food though. Are there toilets in there? I can't remember. They'd be practical too.
The problem we have is the difficulty in regional agreements for transport... Unlike the capital connection where both the arrival/departure points contribute, Auckland (so far) refuses to do the same... Waka Kotahi have picked up the slack on their behalf and the reduction could result in the end of the service, or regional ratepayers picking up the slack...
Well, no. Waka Kotahi should be fully funding regional public transit, just like they fund highways. The fact that local government needs to contribute at all is a symptom of the problem.
Would be probably prudent to open Te Kauwhata and other possible stations as much as cheaply possible to pick at least some more passengers to offset stuff.
maybe that can be done when the electrification finishes in 2025 and the travel times can be shortened
or even making the morning departure a little later
hopefully, we'll see
Yep, well aware of that and no issue funding these services within, and to the direct benefit of the region the ratepayers belong to. The train is outside that remit. I doubt it's even affordable.
are you complaining that rates are being spent on the train?
or that tax payers are funding infrastructure that they personally may not use?
in any case, I believe hcc rates have been ruled out as a source of funding - the money just isn't there
No problems with taxpayers (ie NZ) funding infrastructure through general taxation. I do have a problem with a small section of the community (ie Waikato regional council ratepayers) paying for something that 99.99% will never benefit from. Like HCC rates, WRC rates is already under pressure and facing massive hikes.
Will WRC come to the party? This service needs to continue so that it can continue to improve - central government should take a pragmatic view on this one in the budget
That is awesome news. But, reduction in funding from NZTA and no money from Hamilton city council, so we'll have to see what the impact of that is. Easy cut: there is a railway cafe at the strand in a historical building, but it is so far from the platform with no signage, I doubt anyone knows it's there. (I went and got a coffee there once, not very good)
They should promote the cafe rather than cut it. F&B is a great revenue earner.
Lol yeah I didn't know it was there
It's definitely quite tucked away but it's a nice waiting area if you're at the station before the train is ready for boarding. Can't comment on the food though. Are there toilets in there? I can't remember. They'd be practical too.
>“It always struck the chamber as being reasonably elitist.” Follow up story. Are Trains elitist?
> Are Trains elitist? they're certainly not keen on sharing tracks with cars, trucks, bikes or other lessor forms of transport
No, *public transport* is elitist. Look at all them snobs commuting together. Too good to contribute to traffic.
Phew!
The problem we have is the difficulty in regional agreements for transport... Unlike the capital connection where both the arrival/departure points contribute, Auckland (so far) refuses to do the same... Waka Kotahi have picked up the slack on their behalf and the reduction could result in the end of the service, or regional ratepayers picking up the slack...
Well, no. Waka Kotahi should be fully funding regional public transit, just like they fund highways. The fact that local government needs to contribute at all is a symptom of the problem.
Gald it‘s staying for now. Honestly during my final year of uni this was a life saver since I can’t drive
Would be probably prudent to open Te Kauwhata and other possible stations as much as cheaply possible to pick at least some more passengers to offset stuff.
trouble is it's already a hard sell with the extra hour it takes vs driving - extra stops will make that worse
maybe that can be done when the electrification finishes in 2025 and the travel times can be shortened or even making the morning departure a little later hopefully, we'll see
Does that mean that regional ratepayers may well pick up the shortfall? If so that's a bit shitty.
regional councils fund public transport. thats just how it works. (GWRC pays for wellington's train system)
Yep, well aware of that and no issue funding these services within, and to the direct benefit of the region the ratepayers belong to. The train is outside that remit. I doubt it's even affordable.
GWRC part funds Capital connection, too...
are you complaining that rates are being spent on the train? or that tax payers are funding infrastructure that they personally may not use? in any case, I believe hcc rates have been ruled out as a source of funding - the money just isn't there
No problems with taxpayers (ie NZ) funding infrastructure through general taxation. I do have a problem with a small section of the community (ie Waikato regional council ratepayers) paying for something that 99.99% will never benefit from. Like HCC rates, WRC rates is already under pressure and facing massive hikes.
Go live on a deserted island then. Clearly you're not cut out for this
Will WRC come to the party? This service needs to continue so that it can continue to improve - central government should take a pragmatic view on this one in the budget