Freight is a big focus in the Government's billion dollar KiwiRail boost.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said nearly a third of the funding will go towards improving tracks as he unveiled more details of the investment at Wellington Railway Station yesterday.
He was one of a group of ministers that revealed more details of the Government's billion dollar spend on KiwiRail from the Budget.
Twyford said rail will never pull its weight unless it can compete against freight trucks.
"Investment in the quality of the track is incredibly important for the reliability and reducing the journey times that will allow rail to compete in the freight business," he said.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the investment's bringing rail into the 21st-century.
"100 new locomotives, 900 new container wagons, more than $300 million invested across the network in track, tunnel, bridges and culverts."
LISTEN ABOVE AS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER SHANE JONES TALKS TO HEATHER DU PLESSIS-ALLAN
At the announcement yesterday morning, spontaneous song broke out from Shane Jones.
After making a speech, the Regional Economic Development Minister said he should finish in the traditional maori way with a song.
Jones went on to says it shows the excitement he has for the role rail can play in our community, industry, and identity.
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