Waikanae-Otaki railway electrification deemed 'too expensive'

According to this stuff story, the long-awaited electrification of commuter rail services to Otaki looks unlikely to happen, with the Wellington Regional Council saying the cost cannot be justified.

Electrification from Waikanae to Otaki would cost $115 million to $135 million (US 95 - $112 million) including new trains, Greater Wellington Regional Council rail operations manager Angus Gabara told the Kapiti Coast District Council this week.

"New trains would be required, with toilets, as the trip to Wellington would take more than an hour."

Well, it's only another 15 km which should only take 12 minutes and with track improvement work, particularly in the difficult Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki section, the present schedule could be accelerated to compensate.  It is afterall the North Island Main Trunk and despite Steven Joyce's efforts, still sees a lot of freight traffic, justifying such investment.   The success of the extension of the electrified section to Waikanae and the big shortage of car parking there is a clear justification for an extension of the wires.