Late on Friday, the government released its lofty draft plan for the future of rail. Their long term vision for a rail network that gets our cities moving, connects our regions and gets more freight off the roads.

I’m not anti-train. I’m a big fan of shifting a hell of a lot more freight by rail. The more trucks we can get off our highways, the better. Particularly when you consider that over the next twenty years, the volume of national freight is forecast to grow by fifty five per cent.

Rail already hauls twelve per cent of our freight. In fact, you may be surprised to know that rail already transports twenty six per cent of all exports to ports. So, I’m all good with expanding rail freight.

But this government’s approach to passenger rail doesn’t imbue me with confidence. It looks wobbly and wonky.

At the last election, Labour pledged to establish commuter rail between Christchurch and Rolleston. It was a dog an idea. There is no need. There is no demand. And surprise,  surprise, they haven’t delivered on it.

But up north, in six months’ time, Labour’s grand plans for commuter rail between Hamilton and Auckland becomes a reality. And its destined to be a debacle. A $79 million damp squib.  

Why? Because far from being rapid rail, which is what it needs to be, this wandery clattery commuter service has a journey time of two and a half hours, with a change in trains in Papakura. And only offer two return services a day. What a lemon. You don’t win commuters over, by offering them a third-rate, half-assed start-up service. Do it right, or don’t do it at all.

But the big reveal in Friday’s draft plan is this government wants rail to get its dibs on the National Land Transport Fund. So more money from motorists siphoned off to fund more trains and tracks. Fuel excise on petrol and road user charges will have to go up, to fund another non-roading activity. And surely that’s why this plan’s release was slipped out late on Friday, to no fanfare.