Re: ‘Commuter rail services into Tauranga' (The Weekend Sun, July 8).

P Turner is right concerning suburban rail, but don't stop at this proposal; run it to the Mount and Papamoa as well. Possible extensions to Apata and Te Puke would depend on demand. When I moved to Tauranga several years ago, I could hardly believe that there was major congestion on all the roads into the CBD, and the railway was just sitting there unused, with the potential to get people from Bayfair to The Strand in five minutes or so.

All that is required are fairly basic stations, a platform and shelter, plus adequate free park-and-ride areas. These should be free, as charging for them would be a disincentive to using the system. Greed over the level of fares would also be a disincentive.

Leasing ex-Auckland railcars may be possible, but as these are originally ex-Perth they may be getting a bit old.

This is such an obvious solution to much of Tauranga's congestion problems that it clearly does not suit somebody's agenda.

K Mooney, Papamoa.