Rail workers are worried that the TranzCoastal passenger train will close if KiwiRail continues to use buses instead of trains.
The state-owned rail operator has been using buses for the passenger service between Christchurch and Picton since the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch, even though it has resumed railfreight services on the route.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson said it was time for rail services to resume on the passenger line.
Workers were hearing that passengers interested in rail travel were ending their journey in Wellington and were not travelling to the South Island. The train journey between Christchurch and Picton was among the best in the world, Mr Butson said.
"There is nothing to stop that train from operating other than KiwiRail's unwillingness to do so," Mr Butson said.
"Our members are saying to us that as word gets out that the train is not working, bookings are falling off because people who like trains do not like buses," he said.
KiwiRail was incurring the cost of running buses and was losing revenue from people who would ordinarily opt for train service, he said.
"Every week that KiwiRail delays a decision on TranzCoastal is another week of uncertainty for KiwiRail workers who work on that line," Mr Butson said.
