Government to keep control of Auckland rail network

By BERNARD ORSMAN

The Government has decided to keep control of Auckland's rail network after the Auckland Regional Council and local councils failed to agree on plans to modernise passenger train services.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen said it was a pragmatic way of looking after the interests of the Auckland travelling public.

The decision will not directly affect rail commuters in the short-term but it could have far-reaching long-term implications over the governance of transport services in Auckland.

In a letter received by local political leaders yesterday, Dr Cullen said he was disappointed by their failure to reach a consensus position to deliver a rail service.

After months of turf warfare in Auckland, he said Transport Minister Paul Swain, Auckland Issues Minister Judith Tizard and he had decided the best way forward was for the Crown to retain control of the network.

The warring came to a head this month when the ARC pulled back from a carefully brokered compromise to hold access rights to the rail network.

Chris Mackenzie, a senior adviser to Dr Cullen, will discuss the implications of the Government's decision today at a meeting in Auckland.