Petition calls for commuter trains

Almost 2500 people have signed a petition asking the Otago Regional Council to support a Dunedin commuter train service.

Several hundred people travelled on a suburban train service on March 18 and a petition with 2348 signatures is to be handed to Otago Regional councillor Michael Deaker in a brief ceremony at Dunedin Railway Station on Wednesday at 1.30pm.

The petition asks the Otago Regional Council to conduct a feasibility study into a commuter rail service north and south of Dunedin.

Fifteen people representing the Waitati-based Get the Train group who have helped circulate the petition will travel by the Seasider train from Waitati and Purakaunui to present the petition.

The regional council would be asked to take social and economic factors into account when considering a commuter train service, spokeswoman for the Get the Train group Danielle Cameron, of Purakaunui, said.

The recent commuter train run as part of Walk to Work Day om March 18 had been a great success, she said.

Two hundred and forty people travelled by train from Waitati and intermediate stations to Dunedin, Ms Cameron said.

Suburban services on the north line ceased in 1976.

The passengers on the recent trial train included many commuters from Warrington, Waikouaiti and Palmerston, who travelled by car to catch the train at Waitati.

Murray Bond, of Taieri Gorge Railway, said he was pleased the Get the Train group chose the Seasider train as a means of bringing their petition and submissions to the council.

Passenger numbers, including shoppers and family groups travelling from Palmerston, on the Seasider train had increased this season, Mr Bond said recently.