Jacinda Ardern makes a rail announcement in Tauranga. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK
It would seem that grandiose plans are being presented to the public regarding a high-speed rail system from Auckland to various centres, including Rotorua.
Whilst initially received favourably by your readers and tourism operators etc - it leaves me wondering as to who would be paying for such an undertaking.
If there is a real need for quick commuting, surely we have this on our doorstep in the form of our under-utilised airport. Ratepayers continue to pay for the upgrade when the international flights were trialled unsuccessfully. As yet no evidence has been forwarded that a fast commuter service is needed.
If this is the case, for example quick commuting at weekends to various centres, then surely our national carrier or a charter company could trial some weekend flights. This could also apply to incoming tourists who presently are bussed down when we have a fully operating under-utilised airport.
As a traveller myself I know the advantages of high-speed train travel and I question if our small population and the huge cost of such an undertaking could be justified.
