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Mayor Aaron Hawkins announced today that Dunedin City Council has agreed to underwrite a limited season of rail services, for this summer only, using the assets of Dunedin Railways Ltd.
The company’s locomotives and wagons will be brought out of hibernation temporarily to provide service, and Hawkins hopes the public will seize the opportunity to get back on the rails.
“We have no illusions about the level of public support for this iconic stretch of railway.
“This is now the chance to see how it resonates at the box office for both locals and visitors.”
Mr. Hawkins noted that the limited service is not a relaunch of the company, “but we are pleased to help deliver at least one more summer of iconic travel using company assets.”
“Broader decisions on the future of the company have not yet been made and for now this is a unique opportunity as the Board awaits a report setting out options for Dunedin Railways’ long-term future.
“In the meantime, we hope that Dunedin residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to get on board and see the city from a train.”
The Trains Not Planes promotion will begin with a “Santa Express” train on December 20th. Then there will be two services every Sunday: the Inlander service to Hindon and the Seasider service to Waitati, where passengers would have a 2-hour stop. More services can also be added later if demand requires it.
The Trains Not Planes promotion will run from December 20 to March 31, 2021. The services will be aimed at domestic tourists, as well as local Dunedin residents, families and train lovers.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd will operate the project and has provided further details on the services.
The project is expected to cost approximately $ 65,000 per month in addition to the company’s existing hibernation costs, which are also being covered by DCC. Project costs will be at least partially offset by revenue, but it is difficult to predict how much in today’s tourism environment.
A small number of fixed-term seasonal staff will be employed to supplement Dunedin Railways’ existing wintering equipment.
The trains could operate safely during the summer without the need to address the deferred maintenance needs of Dunedin Railways tracks, which were highlighted by DCHL earlier this year. Decisions on deferred maintenance requirements will be addressed when the Council receives a final report on long-term options in early 2021.
Dunedin City Holdings Ltd (DCHL) Chairman Keith Cooper said work to evaluate long-term options was progressing well.
“Now we have a short list of options. These are being refined before we send a final report to the Council in early 2021. The Trains Not Planes project will generate a number of insights that will be valuable for that report. “
Cooper said the shortlisted options look different than Dunedin Railways’ previous business model, as expected.
