On Radio NZ this morning:
Mainfreight says it will double the amount it spends moving cargo on the railways if the Government changes KiwiRail to a more commercial model.
The freight company spends more than $20 million per year on rail, but says it needs more rail services to be able to move more freight off the roads.
KiwiRail expects no state subsidies from next year onwards and Transport Minister Steven Joyce wants it to move to a more commercial footing.
Mainfreight’s chief executive Don Braid says the company would expect to benefit from such a move.
He hopes better services would be offered, saying for instance, there is no overnight rail service between Christchurch – Wellington.
Mr Braid also says he would like to see more business professionals than politicians on KiwiRail’s board.
