Why does the Northern Explorer no longer stop In Taihape?

Oliver made this Official Information request to KiwiRail

The request was successful.

From: Oliver

Dear KiwiRail,

I live in Taihape and would use the train more often however I have to drive 60km to Ohakune as the closest stop. Why is Taihape no longer a stop/pickup option on the northern explorer route?

I queried a member of our local government regarding this and they said it was due to the cost of diesel in stopping and starting a train. Is this true? If so, how much does it cost in fuel to stop and start a train to drop off/pick up passengers?

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Sanderson.

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From: OCU
KiwiRail

Good afternoon Oliver

We acknowledge receipt of the below Official Information Act 1982 request.

Under the Act, KiwiRail has up to 20 working days from the date of receiving your request to respond.  Therefore, you can expect a response on or before Monday 10 April 2017.

This calculation takes into account KiwiRail receiving your request outside normal business hours.

We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of your request.

Regards
Official Correspondence Unit
KiwiRail

-----Original Message-----
From: Oliver [mailto:[FOI #5523 email]]
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2017 6:52 PM
To: KiwiRail
Subject: Official Information request - Why does the Northern Explorer no longer stop In Taihape?

Dear KiwiRail,

I live in Taihape and would use the train more often however I have to drive 60km to Ohakune as the closest stop. Why is Taihape no longer a stop/pickup option on the northern explorer route?

I queried a member of our local government regarding this and they said it was due to the cost of diesel in stopping and starting a train. Is this true? If so, how much does it cost in fuel to stop and start a train to drop off/pick up passengers?

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Sanderson.

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[FOI #5523 email]

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From: OCU
KiwiRail

Dear Mr Sanderson

Thank you for your email of 13 March 2017 to KiwiRail, in which you ask:

• Why is Taihape no longer a stop/pickup option on the northern explorer route?
• If this is due to the cost of diesel in stopping and starting a train, how much does it cost in fuel to stop and start a train to drop off/pick up passengers?

Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).

Taihape was removed as a regular stop on the Northern Explorer route in order to shorten the length of the overall journey and improve the timeliness of the service. This decision had nothing to do with the cost of diesel, but was based on the time taken to stop at the station and then get the train up to full speed again.

Taihape is still a ‘stop/pickup’ option. The train will stop at Taihape, and other ‘non-advertised’ stops, if there is a group of 10 passengers on any service wishing to stop there. Groups can book their stop through our call centre.

Thank you again for your request.

Under s28(3) of the Act, you have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by way of complaint to the Ombudsman. Please refer to www.ombudsman.parliament.nz for more information.

Regards
Official Correspondence Unit
KiwiRail

-----Original Message-----
From: OCU
Sent: Monday, 13 March 2017 4:04 p.m.
To: '[FOI #5523 email]'
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Why does the Northern Explorer no longer stop In Taihape?

Good afternoon Oliver

We acknowledge receipt of the below Official Information Act 1982 request.

Under the Act, KiwiRail has up to 20 working days from the date of receiving your request to respond.  Therefore, you can expect a response on or before Monday 10 April 2017.

This calculation takes into account KiwiRail receiving your request outside normal business hours.

We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of your request.

Regards
Official Correspondence Unit
KiwiRail

-----Original Message-----
From: Oliver [mailto:[FOI #5523 email]]
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2017 6:52 PM
To: KiwiRail
Subject: Official Information request - Why does the Northern Explorer no longer stop In Taihape?

Dear KiwiRail,

I live in Taihape and would use the train more often however I have to drive 60km to Ohakune as the closest stop. Why is Taihape no longer a stop/pickup option on the northern explorer route?

I queried a member of our local government regarding this and they said it was due to the cost of diesel in stopping and starting a train. Is this true? If so, how much does it cost in fuel to stop and start a train to drop off/pick up passengers?

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Sanderson.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #5523 email]

Is [KiwiRail request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to KiwiRail? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

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