Greens welcome electric train decision, Govt can do more

The Green Party welcomed the announcement today that the Auckland Council and the Government will be sharing the cost of additional electric trains for the fast growing Auckland rail network.

"We're glad the Government finally saw the light, after cancelling the regional fuel tax, and agreed to help the Auckland Council meet the phenomenal growth of rail patronage," said Green Party Transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

"The Green Party has championed electrification of the Auckland rail network for more than half a decade, initially winning funding for it from under the last Labour Government," said Mr Hughes.

"We are happy that Aucklanders will finally have a decent electrified rail network. But the CBD rail loop has to be fast tracked to meet the fast growing demand for trains.

"New Zealanders want and need smart green transport investment, especially in Auckland.

"Smarter transport will be better for our economy and create more jobs and it is also better for our environment," said Mr Hughes.

"It is a shame that all the electric multiple units will all be ordered from overseas however, when we had the capacity to manufacture a number of them here in New Zealand."