It's increasingly absurd that a city the size of Tauranga does not have a commuter train service.

We have the rail corridor north and south of Tauranga which could be adapted and upgraded to provide passenger services from Omokoroa and Papamoa – or even further out – that would hugely contribute to lowering the ever-increasing traffic congestion in and out of our city. Surely the cost benefits would in time outstrip the constant upgrading of the roads, while carbon emissions and road carnage would be greatly reduced. It's a no-brainer! How can this issue be seriously considered and acted upon before our roads choke up completely?

Maureen Guy, Otumoetai.