All aboard as we move on, into the past

Emmerson NZ Herald - May 6, 2008

Have just read Fran O’Sullivan’s article on this latest government spend-up. She does not appear terribly impressed, apart from the fact that she points out how Cullen yet again has done the deal in a way which allows him to keep saying Key and English are at odds. Further, he forces National into propping up rail thus constraining them from other areas of action.

Additionally, he prated on, on Moaning Report, about how this meant we could now have an integrated transport strategy. God alone knows how much that will cost. Though he did admit that Toll from the road side would have the benefits of incumbency for some considerable time.

He claimed to have no figures as to the estimated costs likely to be required to make everything work, but maintained that cost as such was not the only criteria, as we needed to take account of social criteria such as Kyoto, reducing road trucking and thus lives lost and in any event subsidies were necessary and it was better the subsidies were paid to a state company.

Adam is sceptical over the idea that he has no idea about future costs. Because of past failures on all sides to make rail truly viable will require massive on-going investment. OK, if a proper business case can be made, but owned and run by politicians!!

So as Adam feared we now have yet another very large black hole into which to pour money.

How long before we realise that under this government it will not be run efficiently?

How long before the road transport industry realises the government will not play fair on this?

How long before business realises that efficient logistics will soon be a thing of the past?

Welcome to the 1960s and 1970s.

Tags: Back to the past, Bill English, Cartoon, Cullen, Cullen's toy trains, Elections NZ, Fran O'Sullivan, John Key, Nationalisation, NZ Herald, Politicians and their playthings, Rail, Toll, Tranz Rail