Thursday, 27 May 2021, 3:55 pm
This
is an outstanding level of investment from the Government
which is truly revitalising rail for New Zealand, KiwiRail
Chief Executive Greg Miller says.
The Government says
it is delivering on its pre-election commitment to invest in
rail and develop domestic rail workshops to create jobs as
part of the COVID-19 economic recovery
plan.
“Investing in critical infrastructure to boost
jobs and the economy is a key part of the Government’s
recovery plan,” says Transport Minister Michael
Wood.
Miller says KiwiRail has already replaced its
aging North Island locomotive fleet, and this latest tranche
of funding will fully cover the cost of purchasing new
Press Release – New Zealand Government Hon Michael Wood Minister of Transport The Government has awarded a new round of airline support contracts through to the end of October 2021 to help keep New Zealand connected internationally and positioned for recovery, Transport Minister Michael …
Hon Michael Wood
Minister of Transport
The Government has awarded a new round of airline support contracts through to the end of October 2021 to help keep New Zealand connected internationally and positioned for recovery, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today.
Michael Wood said the Government moved quickly to keep critical trade flowing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to support our economic recovery.
“This investment means local jobs, rebuilding expertise, youth training opportunities, boosting Otago s economy and making our railway more self-reliant.” The facility was expected to result in 150 construction jobs and up to 45 operational KiwiRail jobs, including apprenticeships.
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The Government has put $1.3 billion towards rail in Thursday s Budget. The facility would eventually assemble about 1500 of the 1900 wagons being replaced. But KiwiRail would need to buy about 400 wagons from overseas in the meantime. The Government will put $722m towards replacing wagons and locomotives. That included replacing the remaining 40 of 65 new mainline freight locomotives in the South Island. That amount also would top up funding for a new South Island Mechanical Maintenance Hub in the Christchurch suburb of Waltham, which would provide about 300 construction jobs over three years.