400 Stage Sit In

More proof that Waikato commuter trains need to get rolling was delivered to Mayoral candidates and the Government yesterday when 400 residents took over railway stations in the North Waikato.

The sit in was organised by VoteTRAINS.org.nz, a campaign being run by the sustainable transport group the Campaign For Better Transport. It was held to show candidates in the local body elections in Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Tuakau that their communities want rail services to Hamilton and the growing Auckland railway network.

“Over 400 residents, which included people of all ages, clearly want Waikato trains now” Jon Reeves said, Campaign Manager for VoteTRAINS.org.nz.

Waikato District Council mayoral candidates Allan Sanson and Clint Baddeley were present at the sit in which took place at 11am yesterday. Hunua MP Dr. Paul Hutchinson also joined in the Tuakau sit-in and addressed the audience. “Both the CBT and the Tuakau & Districts Development Association were pleased to see the local MP’s involvement supporting commuter trains.” The Government must come to the party with funding of just $1.2 million, and with a small local rate of approximately $12 per rateable property the Waikato from Hamilton North will have passenger train services. “$1.2 million is a tiny amount when you consider they are spending $2 billion on the Waikato Expressway which will probably be tolled.”

VoteTRAINS.org.nz worked with KiwiRail to stage the sit-ins safely. “Even a couple of freight trains passed the crowded platforms during the sit ins to the delighted the attendees. We would like to thank KiwiRail for their assistance yesterday which ensured the event at multiple stations went ahead smoothly, even though some platforms were literally bursting with supporters for the trains”.

On top of the petition with 11,500 signatures for the trains which the CBT presented to the Government, these sit-ins show public support for the trains in the rural towns is growing rapidly. “The Campaign for Better Transport wants to see the Waikato District Council, Hamilton City Council and Environment Waikato start serious lobbying of the Government to fund its share, similar to the levels of rail funding the Wairarapa, Wellington and Auckland receive. Waikato residents do not want to be treated second best, and with yesterdays sit-ins it is absolutely clear they want passenger trains now.”

The VoteTRAINS.org.nz website contains a list of local election candidates who fully support the Waikato commuter trains.

Video from Tuakau Sit in can be viewed at http://www.youtubecom/watch?v=um65kuzFUfU

ENDS

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