Glen Hollis may be a fan of cars - Ferraris in particular - but he is planning a petition calling on the Government to bring back a South Island passenger train service.
The Oamaru man launched the petition in North Otago yesterday, but hopes his enthusiasm will spread and it will be picked up by other South Island centres.
People started signing it the moment he walked out of the printer's shop with the petition forms, he said.
He bases his hope of bringing back a passenger service on the Government's purchase earlier this week of the country's rail system and rolling stock for $665 million from Toll New Zealand.
That has already led to suggestions there would be pressure on the Government for a South Island passenger rail service.
"I would like to believe the Government would bring it [a rail passenger service] back," he said.
He believed a rail passenger service was "sadly lacking" in the South Island and would be used not only by New Zealanders, but also by tourists.
"Our scenery is spectacular, ranging from the coast to inland, and beats travelling by road," he said.
There was also the romance of travelling by rail, and he recalls the railway pies and cups of tea that used to be available.
"It's very social - you can move around a train, visit the buffet car and meet people," he said.
It was safer for passengers.
Mr Hollis (37) said if he wanted to travel by public transport he would prefer the train.
He has been a train fan since childhood.
Mr Hollis said a rail passenger service should run the length of the South Island from Invercargill to Picton.
Once the petition is completed, Mr Hollis plans to send it to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
