Category: Transport Planning

Looking at Transport Planning and Design

Prime Minister Endorses Sky Path

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National Warm on Skypath

 

http://getacross.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/skypath.png

The Prime Minister, and Mayor Len Brown opened the Grafton Gully Cycleway this morning.

While I was not there I have seen plenty of photos of the event (when Spark does not keep dropping my internet out). One thing that caught my attention was this:

The Prime Minister has endorsed Skypath which is better than the two North Shore National Electorate MP’s as well as Ward Councillor George Wood who all seem to be trying to throw spanners into Skypath’s progress

I asked what did it mean when the PM endorsed Skypath and it was said:

 

So nothing full committal but if National gets their Third Term the Government might via NZTA give some assistance in getting Skypath built. That is fine whether the Government fully funds it or sticks with the Public Private Partnership which means a toll, I am not particular fussed.

But good to see the PM come out and have a ride down the Cycleway after which he gave a warm response to Skypath.

 

As they say: “Good things take time”

 

Port of Auckland increase Port Rail Shuttle Services

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Now running 16 services a week

 

From Voxy

Ports of Auckland increases freight rail service

Tuesday, 2 September, 2014 – 12:29

 

Working with KiwiRail, Ports of Auckland has doubled the rail services between its Waitematā seaport and Wiri Intermodal Freight Hub.

The increased service starts this week and will bring the port to the doorstep of importers and exporters in South Auckland, potentially reducing the number of trucks coming into the seaport and opening up more space to handle growing volumes.

Ports of Auckland General Manager Commercial Relationships Craig Sain said, “This is just the beginning. With our developments in Palmerston North and Wiri, we’re on our way to make more effective and increased use of rail to improve our service offering.”

“Containers moved by rail was up by 64% in 2013/14, but it is still a small percentage of the total containers coming through the port. We’d like to see this number grow over the coming years,” he said.

In 2010, with the opening of the Wiri Intermodal Freight Hub, KiwiRail ran four services of 23 wagons a week in each direction. Over time, this number increased to eight services and starting today there will be sixteen services a week.

“There is ample capacity on the line to the Port to increase services further and we will continue to work with KiwiRail to get the most out of the line,” Mr Sain said.

KiwiRail General Manager Sales – Freight Alan Piper said, “Ports of Auckland’s drive to increasingly move freight by rail to its Wiri inland port has seen a rapid increase in growth of daily services this year. This is a great example of KiwiRail working closely with its customers and provide flexible growth capacity to enable more use of rail to transport goods around the country.”

The Wiri Intermodal Freight Hub is operated by CONLINXX, a subsidiary of Ports of Auckland and offer greater efficiencies and flexibility for exporters and importers who are able to drop off and pick up containers without having to negotiate the Auckland motorways.

—–ends—-

Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/ports-auckland-increases-freight-rail-service/5/200972

 

Something I will keep in the back of my mind as I head up to Town Hall on Thursday and will be bringing up the Manukau South Link at the time.