Editorial: Right move to step aboard campaign

OPINION: A meeting today to thrash out a plan to keep the Capital Connection rail service is a timely one. It is also a smart one for Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway and city Mayor Jono Naylor to be part of.

The timing of the meeting makes sense because it allows people who want to keep the service going time to rally the troops and get a plan of attack on the table.

KiwiRail has not made a firm decision either way to keep or can it. They've signalled that there will be changes to their network from Waikanae to Wellington that could affect the Palmerston North leg south.

It is important to get a rescue plan in place and have everyone on the same page, rather than wait around for a decision to be made and then react to that.

Supporters of the service know what's at stake, and getting in early to decide what can be done to keep it going is crucial.

Being prepared so early also means that if the worst-case scenario pans out, then a stronger case can be put forward to retain the service. Too often in this situation we've seen people try and come to the rescue after a decision has already been made.

Aside from all of this, Mr Lees-Galloway and Mr Naylor are also aware that getting on board, so to speak, is a smart decision in a political sense.

For both of them, backing the Save The Capital Connection campaign is a win-win situation.

That's because if it stays it's good for the region and their profiles. But even if the service gets yanked they still come off as the good guys who gave it a go.

With an election later this year, any publicity is political gold for Mr Naylor, who will be looking for re-election come October.

For Mr Lees-Galloway, this campaign is the perfect way to boost his profile as the young MP pushes into his second year as an elected representative.

New Zealand, whether under Toll's management or KiwiRail, hasn't got the best track record, excuse the pun, when it comes to passenger services. The focus for the past couple of decades has been on freight, with passengers almost an afterthought. There's plenty of time to work out a decent solution and we will be watching progress every step of the way.

Whatever the outcome, I'm glad the service is still running for the time being as I've got to catch it next week.

One more thing: What a weekend of fantastic events we had around the region at the weekend. While yesterday's weather wasn't so flash, Saturday turned on a stunner for us and reminded us what summer can look like. From the Party in the Paddock concert to the free show at the Esplanade to the Organic River Festival near Levin, there was plenty of entertainment to go around.

- © Fairfax NZ News