I feel like I heard of a Labour plan to build rail hubs. Infrastructure like that is expensive and risky for private companies (because what if there are no customers?), but if the government set it up (say, one near Auckland and one near Wellington), and organised the rail freight between, you could have a really nice rail system set up, with trucks handling just the first and last stretch.

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If it follows SH1 (mostly) that would be a great thing.

I would love to be able to have passenger terminals available to travel to Wellington / Auckland

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 months ago

I was thinking freight hubs installed on the existing train line.

Wellington/Auckland passenger rail is already available, but it's marketed to tourists and has a price to match, at $250 per person one way. You'll find flights for half that.

[–] TagMeInSkipIGotThis@lemmy.nz 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, and if well designed it potentially is an investment like electrifying steel furnaces. Anything we do that has a big impact on reducing emissions is likely a good thing.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 months ago

Maybe we could get the main line from Auckland to Wellington electrified for heavy freight? Ok now I'm just drreaming.