Letter: Subsidise both modes equally

OPINION: KiwiRail will find it very difficult to ever make a profit while taxpayers and ratepayers heavily subsidise its competition - the trucking industry.

The "Road" Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, can sort this out easily by using one of two options. The Government can either stop subsidising the trucking industry or subsidise rail by the same amount. That would fix the problem overnight.

Rail is vital for our future for many reasons, including concerns about gas emissions and dwindling oil supplies. Other countries recognise its importance and are investing heavily in rail, but our politicians don't appear bright enough to see the big picture.

I can't help but wonder if the "donations" made by the Road Transport Forum to political parties play a part in MPs' views on this subject.

Obviously the thing that stands out here is "never upset the trucking industry because they give financial `donations' to the National Party", but you can walk all over KiwiRail because it's a state-owned enterprise and its management can't make obvious valid points that might be construed as criticism. And its managers will never be making "donations".

KEVIN ANDERSON

Holmdale

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