KiwiRail welcomed the announcement on the next steps for new Cook Strait ferries and the certainty it has given to Interislander’s regular passengers and freight customers.
“It is pleasing that the Government has chosen to invest in the future of Cook Strait ferry services by deciding to procure two brand new ships, which will safeguard reliability into the future,” said KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy.
“The specifications that the Government has indicated mean the ships will be larger than the current ships, so there will be room for future growth.”
Reidy noted that rail-enabled ships were still an option. However, if the new ships were not rail-enabled, they could continue efficiently moving rail freight across Cook Strait as done
now when the only rail-enabled ship, Aratere, is unavailable.
Until the new ships arrive, Interislander will continue providing a reliable and safe Cook Strait service with our current ferries.
They have been the workhorses of Cook Strait, together carrying more than 620,000 passengers, 230,000 cars and 73,000 commercial vehicles a year, along with rail freight.
Last financial year, Interislander’s reliability (services delivered compared to planned services) was 96 percent, and its on-time performance (running to timetable) was 86 percent.
“For the past four months, reliability has been close to 100 percent, and last week, we moved a record number of trucks, more than 2000 per week.”
Reidy added that between now and the new ships arriving, KiwiRail will work with all parties to support the procurement and smooth introduction of the new ferries when ready to enter customer service.
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