Rail network planning & funding changes: Making a submission

There are four days left for indviduals and organisations to make a submission on the proposed changes to the planning and funding framework for New Zealand's national rail network - all submissions must be received by 5pm Friday 7th February 2020.

Notable changes proposed include:

• Abolishing KiwiRail's existing track access fees for other operators. 
• Setting new track user charges for all operators, set and regulated in a transparent way by government, with each operator paying the charges into the National Land Transport Fund rather than to KiwiRail. 
• Establishing a new three-year Rail Network Investment Plan (RNIP) with input from local councils and subject to public consultation.
   

These are important changes that will give New Zealanders a greater say in how the network should be developed over time. It also takes us much closer to enabling network access by other operators for moving freight, by separating track access charges from KiwiRail's business.

Submissions can be made here

A further cabinet paper will be released in due course, dealing specifically with the setting of network user charges, and that too will be open to submissions.