They actually are quite specific in what they want, they want a restoration of all our intercity rail services, to a level of service that existed back in the nineties. It's not about commuter rail, as many commenters here seem to think.

In other words, they want the government to spend a few hundred mill on rolling stock, and still more on other subsidies, on a service that would take nearly twice as long to go between Auckland and Wellington as a bus. They've completely lost touch with reality.

This is also ignoring the fact that diesel rail isn't that much better than road transport, and can even be worse.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This is also ignoring the fact that diesel rail isn’t that much better than road transport, and can even be worse.

Huh? I mean sure, we should electrify all our rail. But moving hundreds of people in one diesel train produces way less emissions than hundreds of cars.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, indeed, diesel trains emit lower emissions when more than 1/3 full. See also #10 here

And, diesel is not the final solution, but it's a first step. If the protesters would ask for 100% electrified rail it would be shut down as well by opponents that it's too hard. So I think it's a very good option to switch to diesel rail for now.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You're comparing private to public transport though, while ignoring another public alternative that is already operating.

I don't get why people are so snobby about buses.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Buses are less comfortable than cars, and are probably also slower than a car.

Trains are more comfortable and can be faster than driving.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

They're also far more affordable though. Rail is expensive.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm comparing other public transport options, namely road based PT.

Comparing a train to a car is kinda comparing apples to nectarines.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Bus is always going to be limited to whatever the road network can support, and face problems like traffic.

Rail can be improved way above what it is in NZ currently. It could be much faster than taking a car, as it is in many parts of the world. e.g. see: https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/regional-rapid-rail/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In other words, they want the government to spend a few hundred mill on rolling stock, and still more on other subsidies, on a service that would take nearly twice as long to go between Auckland and Wellington as a bus.

Driving time WLG <=> AKL is about 7.5 hours. Assuming a 15 minute break every 2 hours, that's about 8.5 hours. It's 650km, so that's about 76km/hour on average. I'm sure a train can go as fast / faster than that; definitely not <40km/hour like you suggest.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The northern explorer is 10h 15min Auckland to Wellington, and travels almost exactly the same distance.

I thought it was slower, but it's still much slower than road transport.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yep as right now it's a scenic route, so no focus on speed. I agree, right now it's not a very good alternative to driving. That's the point, that should be improved; it should be faster than driving.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It's actually faster than a bus somehow, although a bus ticket is forty bucks.