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Former New Zealand rail engineer for 25 years, Picton man Glenn Howard launched a petition to reduce coastal pacific train fares between Christchurch and Picton. In less than a week, over 300 people commented on Howard’s post online and asked to join the petition. Some said that cheaper fares would encourage more people to use the train and at the same time, take cars off the road. “This petition has one of Marlborough s most important interests at heart for our province: affordable rail fares for our local families.” Howard said he will take the petition to Parliament. A KiwiRail spokesperson said their pricing was linked to demand, much like airline pricing.