KiwiRail fails the sustainability test

KiwiRail is failing to fulfil its environmental obligations says Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson.

“KiwiRail is considering replacement options for its electric fleet operating on the Hamilton to Palmerston North line. Yet one of the options under consideration is replacing electric locomotives with diesel locomotives”.

“KiwiRail is considering an option which will take the company and the country backwards” says Wayne Butson.

“Mighty River Power is planning to convert 70 percent of its fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles. This is a positive move for the country, the company and its workers. Meanwhile KiwiRail is considering converting its electric fleet to a fossil fuel fleet”.

“There need to be clear sustainability guidelines for public companies. The sole consideration should never be profit. KiwiRail owes it to the country and its workers to rule out diesel locomotives over electric locomotives” says Wayne Butson.

ENDS

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