New Zealand rail sector receives $NZ lbn funding boost

摘要

KEW Zealand national operator KiwiRail has received a major funding boost in the latest national budget announced by the Labour-led government on May 30. More than $NZ lbn ($US 652.4m) will be made available over the next two years, including $NZ 375m for new rolling stock, $NZ 35m for Cook Strait train ferries and $NZ 331m towards upgrading of regional lines to support economic development. The 2019-20 budget also includes $NZ 300m for regional rail projects through the Provincial Growth Fund, and an additional $NZ 534m cash injection for the Auckland City Rail Link, including $NZ 400m to cover cost escalations and $NZ 134m to cover the cost of increasing station capacity on the line. Deputy prime minister, Mr Winston Peters, who is in charge of state-owned enterprises including KiwiRail, says the funding will enable the railway to become more resilient and reliable through substantial investment in rail infrastructure, 100 new