The State rail operator confirmed this at a meeting with local leaders this week, five weeks into the closure which has seen the tourist train running only as far as Arthur's Pass and with buses substituting for the rest of the journey.
Greymouth Business Promotions Association chairman and Greymouth Railway Station and iSITE owner Phillip Barnett said at least KiwiRail had allayed fears the termination of the train at Arthur's Pass due to the Omoto slip could become permanent.
"They have confirmed there is no likelihood that they would close it down," Mr Barnett said.
Officials said they recognised the need for the town and were "comfortable" to carry the financial loss meantime.
A significant number of tourists who previously would have dropped off their rentals at Greymouth before catching the train were instead choosing to drive over Arthur's Pass instead and leaving their vehicles in Christchurch.
"They are still picking up, which is great. You are losing people who would normally have come in here to pick up the train.
Certainly if you are a retailer, you are experiencing a downturn in that visitor market," Mr Barnett said.
- By Brendon McMahon
