A Dunedin passenger rail advocate is elated a service linking the city with Christchurch and Invercargill is back after decades of waiting.
Jarrod Hodson, also known as Train Boy, could not put into words his happiness when the Rail and Tourism Group announced The Mainlander train would return with a three-day timetable during the January school holidays.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful and it’s well overdue,” Mr Hodson said.
He said the focus needed to be on making the service affordable and driving the price of a ticket from Christchurch to Dunedin down from $199 closer to the $70 mark.
Until the price was lowered, the service would be more of a tourist experience.
The demand for the service was there and it was seen when KiwiRail offered it a handful of times this year.
“There’s a new generation coming through, young people, students, and those sort of people are looking for alternatives other than travelling by bus or car or by air. And this is a really good alternative.”
It was important for him that people thought more environmentally about their travel and had more public transport options.
“I can’t even describe how happy I am. I think it’s so great. I was really pleased when I saw the news.”
Rail and Tourism Group chief executive Paul Jackson said the company brought the service back because it detected a “surge” in demand for rail tourism and passenger rail.
Developments in Dunedin, including the return of international flights and the new KiwiRail Hillside workshops, along with a new Distinction Hotel in Invercargill and the new Christchurch stadium and recreation centre, were all major projects that signalled confidence the time was right to support the South Island with passenger rail.
The infrastructure was already there so it made sense to use it, he said.
The service was for the tourism market to encourage tourists to head south of Christchurch and to give domestic regional passengers an alternative to flying.
The Rail and Tourism Group had plans to expand the initial itinerary after the school holiday launch.
It was planning on announcing a monthly service, initially working on end-of-week and weekend passage.
Expansion from there would be based on demand.
The initial service is privately funded.
The inaugural timetable includes Christchurch to Dunedin on January 20, Dunedin to Invercargill on January 21, Invercargill to Dunedin on January 22 and a return service from Dunedin to Christchurch on January 23.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker described the announcement as “a huge win for Dunedin”.
“The public has been calling for more rail connections between the South Island’s main centres, and this is a significant step towards that,” she said.
Dunedin Railways general manager Rebekah Jenkins said the arrival of The Mainlander marked “an exciting new chapter for Dunedin and the wider region”.
“Having this service come to Dunedin opens the door for more visitors to discover the Taieri Gorge and explore everything our city and region have to offer.”
The Mainlander was also expected to attract domestic and international visitors looking for an immersive rail experience, supporting tourism, hospitality, events and the broader regional economy.
Inaugural itinerary
Tuesday, Jan 20: 9am, departs Addington, Christchurch; 4.20pm, arrives Dunedin.
Wednesday, Jan 21: 10am, departs Dunedin; 2.57pm, arrives Invercargill.
Thursday, Jan 22: 12.50pm, departs Invercargill; 6.04pm, arrives Dunedin.
Friday, Jan 23: 8am, departs Dunedin; 3.15pm, arrives Addington, Christchurch.