Dunne clips Tranz Metro’s ticket on commuter rail shambles
22 February 2011

Tranz Metro has run out of goodwill with long-suffering Wellington commuters and now needs to start delivering the goods, UnitedFuture leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne said today.

 “Everyone has had enough of delays and poor service and too many passengers being crammed into too few carriages – the fiasco just goes on and on,” Mr Dunne said.

 “The new Matangi trains need to be the point at which Tranz Metro stops blundering and making excuses, and starts delivering more than hype and empty promises,” he said.

 “This region’s 15,000 daily train commuters deserve a far better service than they have been getting, and they have been patient for long enough.

 “The issue is becoming about Tranz Metro’s fundamental credibility as a provider of public transport and not just as a purveyor of excuses.

 “We have the new trains basically ready to go, and $11 million has just been spent upgrading the Johnsonville line, which I have long championed.

 “Now it’s time for good new trains to run efficiently and on time, and carry people in comfort. It’s not a lot to ask for a First World train system in a First World country,” Mr Dunne said.