Unionists advocate local ownership of trains

The Auckland Council subsidiary said it would like to own the 38 multiple electric unit trains. Photo / Greg Bowker

Unionists believe local ownership of Auckland's electric trains may be needed to protect them from privatisation.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union secretary Wayne Butson said a suggestion that Auckland Transport take ownership of the proposed $500 million fleet should be taken seriously.

"Our experience of past National governments is that their commitment to public ownership of rail assets is not good," he said.

The Auckland Council subsidiary said it would like to own the 38 multiple electric unit trains, for which KiwiRail is seeking an annual leasing fee of about $15 million.

An Auckland Transport spokesman said regional ownership was Transport Minister Steven Joyce's pick.