Kiwirail scrap rail services on the Gisborne/Napier rail line.

On 28th November without any community taxpayer consultation a secret rail (EOI)tender process was entered on the Kiwirail Government electronic website GETS.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for tourism operators interested in running services on the Wairoa to Gisborne section of the Napier - Gisborne rail line.

HB Today on 9th December reported that an EOI request 18 months ago for the full line between the two cities attracted a lot of interest.

However the full line is no longer available, due to the Napier Port agreement and another secretive deal with Gisborne City Vintage Railway earlier made by Kiwirail, and these agreement appear that the contract could be terminated with three months' notice or immediately, if excessive or unexpected track maintenance, or reinstatement costs made continuing uneconomic reports HB Today

We at CEAC on 29th November sent Kiwirail a note as a “Expression of Interest” for a mixed freight/passenger services for use of the Wairoa Gisborne rail section to consider under a new Co-operative plan with local Iwi and other interested parties.

On 3rd December Kiwirail requested we submit a EOI along with the Co-operative, and will as requested.

Then we were advised that discussions were had between Government and the Minister of Transport Simon Bridges, who said there are apparently two stages of tenders whereas there will be a tender for tourism and another later for freight.

So we asked Kiwirail for clarity on 13th December asking when the next round of EOI was to be staged for freight services or passenger services, and Kiwirail abruptly declined to clarify these questions for our tender so we are now left with an extremely very confusing situation amongst our Gisborne HB communities.

It now appears that KiwiRail were only looking for innovative tourism ventures to help grow their income and retain minimal critical track infrastructure without requiring any capital expenditure or maintenance.

Mr Dick was reported by HB Today December 9th (quote) “that this raised concerns, as it had been anticipated "from the outset" that logs would need to be hauled from as far north as Nuhaka within a few years.”

To CEAC representing the health and safety of the community are shocked that Kiwirail would allow 12% annual truck increased road freight causing a public health risk to all communities living alongside any truck corridor including the 12 000 residents in Napier who are reportedly now facing sleepless nights and health issues as a result of 24/7 truck gridlock that will only get worse without rail to take some of the freight off the roads.

This quick release of Kiwi rail’s secret plan to dispose of the HB/Gisborne community's right to freight/passenger rail services by holding a stealth tender for cycle/golf cart lease only completely conflicts with the SOE Act and some may consider a legal ruling on Kiwi rail’s lack of regard for our community health & safety & lack of their”social responsibility towards our community where ever possible” that Kiwirail must consider under the SOE Act.

· Kiwirail are forcing rail freight onto roads costing lives increased oil use, CO2 levels and tyre pollution causing cancer.

· Global experts confirm traffic pollution among the worst public health issue facing urban communities

· Kiwirail are meant to under the SOE to exhibit a sense of social responsibility by having regard to the interests of the community in which it operates and by endeavouring to accommodate or encourage these when able to do so.

· A Rail bikes/carts proposal will harm our urban communities suffering with early death from poisoned air.

If Kiwirail will not restore rail services for our community as promised when they asked for access across Iwi tribal land then we say give it back.

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