Christchurch Mayor Steps Up Call For Light Rail

Last month, when I was down in Christchurch, I reported Mayor Bob Parker calling for the reuse of existing rail and the development of new light rail in conjunction with the existing buses in Christchurch.

He says that until now, he doesn’t think people are being smart enough or thinking long-term about how the city uses public transport.

I’m thrilled to see he has returned from an urban transit fact-finding trip to the United States and Canada, visiting San Francisco, Vancouver and Portland – cities which have invested heavily in light rail systems and is saying Christchurch needs to start planning that way now.

Too right.

The Christchurch Press, in a comprehensive article on the subject,  quotes transport minister Steven Joyce calling it “a very interesting idea”, but warning that Christchurch should not underestimate the challenges.

The biggest hurdle was the city’s relatively low population, which could struggle to maintain a rail-based system, he said.

“But have a debate about it by all means … I will be very interested to see where it goes.”

Won’t we all.