Napier MP Chris Tremain is backing KiwiRail's move to close the Gisborne to Napier rail line and says the Government has already spent enough on upgrading the national rail network.
Mr Tremain said National had made a major commitment to rail transport to turn it around and make it viable.
"To do this we have invested $750 million new funding into KiwiRail over the last three budgets ($250m pa). The turnaround has also required tough decisions regarding some of the assets, including the hillside workshops and the Napier to Gisborne line."
Mr Tremain said where assets had been proven unprofitable for long periods of time and with a proven lack of customer commitment over many years, the tough call had been made to close them for the benefit of the wider rail system.
"In regards to logging, Ms Genter (Green Party MP) needs to get out of her cosy Wellington office and talk to the likes of Pan Pac who employ hundreds of local workers and ask them why they don't use rail.