Commuter train pressure grows

The public pressure for reestablishing commuter rail services in Dunedin is cranking up with another ‘‘Bring Back the Train'' public meeting.

Organised by Fairfield resident Trudy Hutchison, the meeting to discuss the feasibility of the return of the Mosgiel commuter train will be held at 7pm in the Mosgiel Station cafe and function centre in Gladstone Rd next Tuesday.

‘‘I was inspired by the great turnout they had at Waitati last month to talk about a Northern rail commuter service, so I thought ‘why not give it a go','' Ms Hutchison said.

‘‘A lot of the people I have spoken to have been really keen to see the train return.''

Ms Hutchison will chair the meeting, which will be addressed by Dunedin South electorate candidates Shane Gallagher (Green Party), Conway Powell (National) and Clare Curran (Labour), along with Mosgiel/ Taieri Ward councillor and Deputy Mayor Syd Brown, Otago regional councillor Michael Deaker, and Hillside Engineering Group operations manager Andrew Bisset.

Like many Mosgiel residents, Ms Hutchison looks back on the Mosgiel commuter train with affection and believes it could be a popular option in these days of high petrol costs and environmental concerns.

‘‘Now that the government has bought back the rail, anything could be possible,'' Ms Hutchison said.

‘‘But obviously there would have to be feasibility studies done and people would have to be willing to change their behaviour to support a train service.''

The Star joined Ms Hutchison for a visit to the Hillside Engineering Group workshops, where operations manager Andrew Bisset explained the type of rail cars that were being refurbished for rail in Auckland and Wellington and which would be usable in a Dunedin commuter service.

‘‘New Zealand [and Dunedin] has a narrow gauge on its tracks and tight corners, so light rail cars like these would be ideal,'' Mr Hutchison said.

A rail car, which would be capable of powering itself either as a single rail car or as part of a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), could be refurbished at Hillside at an estimated cost of $2 million to $4 million, he said.

‘‘There is a large initial outlay, but in the longer term they [rail cars] would be cheaper to maintain.''

Contacted by The Star, Cr Brown said it would be particularly interesting to hear from the election candidates on Tuesday night, as reestablishing a commuter service would require action at a central government level.

When the DCC/ORC transportation working party, of which Cr Brown and Cr Deaker are members, looked at the city's future transportation options, rail was off the table because it was in private ownership and there were many restrictions, Mr Brown said.

‘‘But when you look at rail it ticks all the boxes in relation to climate change and carbon footprints. The other side of the equation is the cost.''