KiwiRail rethink needed. With all the problems KiwiRail is experiencing and the admission from the Government that the company is not likely to meet the targets of it's Turnaround Plan, the Government needs to implement a complete restructure of rail industry in New Zealand.
The current system is not working and is not realistic. The proposals to close and rundown lines all over the country, and stop running services such as the Capital Connection are not in the best interest of the country.
The KiwiRail freight business needs to be separated from the infrastructure and passenger divisions, and run as a commercial rail operator.
The infrastructure such as the tracks, train control systems and the land assets need to be kept with the NZ Railways Corporation, who should also take on the rail licencing functions of the NZ Transport Agency, to become the rail equivalent of the NZTA.
A separate passenger rail company, similar to Amtrak in the US, needs to be established to run long distance and suburban passenger trains, as well as the Interisland ferries, which are an essential service to the country.
Rail operating companies would pay a fee to the NZRC for using the tracks, in much the same way as road users pay for using the roads. This arrangement would put both road and rail on an equal playing field for funding and competition.

Kathryn Arnold, Auckland.