Assess 'long game' viability for building Auckland's new trains locally

Building Auckland’s new electric trains locally should be assessed against the viability of a long-term rail infrastructure upgrade strategy for the whole of New Zealand, agrees Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.

However, the Auckland contract for 114 railcars to start running on Auckland’s tracks in 2013 will need to be internationally competitive and actioned with some urgency, he noted.

“If we are serious about rail having a future long-term in New Zealand, the Auckland contract could be part of a sector upgrade that embraces skills development opportunities including apprenticeships.”

“But we need a reality check as well. The rest of the country is unlikely to require rail carriages on the scale and volume of Auckland.

Whether we can develop a production plant that gets the Auckland contract completed on time, and then provides orders long-term to sustain the investment needs to be assessed. The last thing we want is to create a ‘think big’ mentality around rail only to find that once the Auckland contract is complete it has no future.

“I agree Auckland needs a world-class metro system and it’s urgent, and we also need to develop a long game for upgrading rail across the whole country which includes a serious assessment of skills, apprenticeship and other employment opportunities – and that’s urgent too,” said Mr Barnett.

“If a New Zealand company can build the Auckland rail carriages competitively either alone or in a joint venture with a recognized international rail infrastructure construction company, then they should be strongly encouraged to seek the contract.”