New Zealand Railways Corporation
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| New Zealand Railways Corporation | |
| |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale: | From Okaihau in the north to Bluff in the south |
| Dates of operation: | 1981- |
| Track gauge: | 1067 mm (narrow gauge) |
History
New Zealand's rail operator: 1981-1990
NZRC was created as a statutory corporation by the New Zealand Railways Corporation Act 1981 from the New Zealand Railways Department.NZRC was the operator of New Zealand’s railways from its formation until 1990. During this time it faced many tough challenges, such as the deregulation of the land transport industry in 1982 and the resulting growth of competition from road freight operators. In 1984 international consultants Booz Allen Hamilton reported to the National government on how a viable rail network could be created. This prompted the Opposition Labour Party to launch a ‘Save Rail’ campaign. Despite this, rationalisation of NZRC began with the election of the Fourth Labour government in mid 1984. Rationalisation cut right across NZRC – staff cuts were drastic, infastructure was reduced and older classes of locomotives scrapped, along with workshops closing. In 1985 NZRC began a major restructuring programme, eliminating the old branch structure of its predecessor. It was reformed into three core business groups:
- Railfreight Systems (later Railfreight), including all engineering functions;
- the Passenger Business Group, consisting of CityLine suburban and InterCity long-distance services, the latter including Speedlink Parcels; and
- The Interislander, the rail and road ferry service between the North and South Islands.
Privatisation of the railways: 1990-2004
New Zealand Rail Limited (NZRL) was established as a Crown Transferee Company under the provisions of the New Zealand Railways Corporation Restructuring Act 1990, and took over NZRC's rail and shipping activities, leasing the rail corridor from NZRC. Branding initially remained unchanged, except that suburban passenger services were rebranded CityRail. NZRL was privatised in 1993 and renamed Tranz Rail in 1995, with urban passenger services rebranded Tranz Metro, long-distance Tranz Scenic, and freight Tranz Link. It was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2004.Ownership of the rail corridor remained with NZRC, as did non-core assets prior to disposal. Speedlink Parcels was sold to New Zealand Post, and InterCity road services were sold in 1991 to Intercity Group New Zealand Limited [link], a group of four of the country's largest privately-owned coach companies (Ritchies, Tranzit, PTL Route Services and Nelson SBL). Railway stations in Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier and Oamaru were sold, along with substantial tracts of land previously used for rail operations. CityLine bus services were sold to various purchasers.
NZRC managed the lease of the rail corridor from the Crown to Tranz Rail from 1993 until 2004, when the Crown re-acquired the rail infrastructure from Toll New Zealand.
Renationalisation of the rail network: 2004
Areas of Operation
ONTRACK has three main areas of operation:- It owns New Zealand's rail infrastructure. As owner, it provides rail operators, primarily Toll NZ pursuant to its agreements with the Crown, with access to the rail network in return for the payment of track access charges. It is also responsible for the maintenance and development of the network.
- It is the rail network controller, providing services such as train control and signalling.
- It administers a substantial portfolio of land on behalf of the Crown, and derives income from leasing land and buildings on a commercial basis.
- Route length: 3,898 km
- Tunnels: 149
- Bridges: 2,178
- Electrification: 95 km at 1.5 kV DC, 411 km at 25 kV 50Hz AC
See also
External link
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