ARC rail hiccups under scrutiny

By STUART DYE

Auditor-General Kevin Brady is to launch an investigation into the Auckland Regional Council's provision of rail services.

Former Papakura Mayor David Hawkins, who wrote to the Audit Office to request the investigation, says the ARC is not giving value for money and he is increasingly sick of the poor service and continuing problems at the new Britomart terminal.

Mr Brady told the Herald he would look at the contract between the ARC and Tranz Rail and would concentrate particularly on deals made on monitoring and performance issues.

"It is a narrowly focused investigation but on important issues," said Mr Brady.

It is thought that the Auditor-General's report will be available within three weeks.

The ARC said it welcomed Mr Brady's scrutiny, but declined to comment on specifics, pending the results of his investigation.

The three bodies in charge of the rail network - the ARC, Tranz Rail and the Auckland Regional Transport Network - have promised to solve the problems with new tracks, signalling and the Britomart station.