Wellington region's mayors have accepted the regional council's decision to proceed with a joint venture to buy Wellington's rail network.
The Wellington Regional Council opted for the joint venture in a decision split nine votes to four last Friday, with opposition from councillors Ian Buchanan, Rex Kirton, Rick Long and Rosemary Thomas.
Regional mayors' forum chair Kerry Prendergast said it was always accepted that the decision was ultimately the regional council's call, although the forum preferred an open book contract to the joint venture buy-out because it would minimise risk and cost to ratepayers.
"I don't think there's been any disagreement from anyone about the importance of securing passenger rail's future," Ms Prendergast said.
"Where we've differed is that the mayors see a joint venture as delaying the process by introducing a risky intermediate step.
"However, we accept that a decision has now been made, subject to public consultation.
"Ratepayers have waited long enough for some sort of certainty on the future of passenger rail."
WRC chair Margaret Shields said the public wanted a solution to the passenger rail problems.
"The council has been unable to gain sufficient assurance from Tranz Rail that it is receiving value for money from the ratepayers' money it is investing each and every year (presently $18 million)."
The council's joint venture proposal will break the present monopoly situation and provide long-term certainty to commuters, she said.
Large investment in rolling stock would be needed in the near future and the council wanted greater transparency than the present contracts were providing.
Public consultation would follow the formulation of a firm purchase proposition.
Tranz Rail managing director Michael Beard says it has not discussed a possible sale with any other buyer, leaving the way clear for the council to enter into sale negotiations as soon as possible.
He suggested Tranz Rail could meet the WRC's objectives with a new long-term contract providing a level of transparency the council wanted and level of service commuters needed.
- INDEPENDENT HERALD
Wellington region mayors concede on rail plan
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