Thread: Cook Strait Ferry

Originally Posted by Tahr

I think the Gov are running a smart game. This will drive efficiency and break up NZ Rail's monopoly position. Also an incentive for Bluebridge to get smarter and more competitive.

Ive been using either service about once every 3 weeks for the last 6 months. Its incredible how Bluebridge have improved and the inter islander has degraded since I last used the services 4 years ago.

Was talking with some Picton locals a few months back and they were fairly dismissive of the kiwi rail Plan. They said it was well know that the new ferries would need bigger trains, and that those trains couldn't form up on the existing flat ground, but also that they couldn't get up the incline out of picton.
They thought it was a major stuff up back then.

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Ive been using either service about once every 3 weeks for the last 6 months. Its incredible how Bluebridge have improved and the inter islander has degraded since I last used the services 4 years ago.

Was talking with some Picton locals a few months back and they were fairly dismissive of the kiwi rail Plan. They said it was well know that the new ferries would need bigger trains, and that those trains couldn't form up on the existing flat ground, but also that they couldn't get up the incline out of picton.
They thought it was a major stuff up back then.

Kiwirails plan does make sense, avoid the extra work and land requirements to re marshal the trains to get them on and off the ferry at either end by getting proper rail-enabled vessels. Huge efficiency gains if it can be done in terms of freight that can be moved in the same space but the main problem is in the cost to do it. We've never had a modern freight capacity across the islands and without dedicated seafreight it's going to be a problem forever until someone sorts it. Ships are one thing, but relying on 1950's tech at both ends is going to end in a mess and that's what we have now. The teams operating the gear are doing the best they can in often shitty weather conditions and properly designed kit would increase the safety factor 50 fold. But - do we need the electric infrastructure as that is one of the huge expenses as I understand it - the electricity supply needs to be fully reworked to get the go juice to the boats and if that aspect is removed then probably the cost wouldn't be so eye-watering.

My take on this situation is that this is simply Luxon applying some standard “Executive Chairman” principles to an out of control subsidiary, i.e. this isn’t good enough, so stop, go back to first principles and start again. Report back to the board with significantly revised proposals that fit the original project charter.

The previous mob couldn’t manage them selves out of a wet paper bag, let alone apply sensible guidance to a project like this. The iRex project managers are probably mostly looking for new jobs already! One of the problems we have as taxpayers is that a lot of these guys are on very cozy contracts and the longer they string the work out, the more they earn. Exactly the same with the Three Waters gang.

My money is on us ending up with fit for purpose ferries, eventually, having wasted considerable amount of money and time fucking around for the past few years.

This is my assessment as well, the situation is simply either make the project solution fit the financials or make the financials fit the project solution. The latter option was never going to fly...

I don't think the fast ferry to lyttleton idea will work, the environmental factor is pretty ordinary down that coast. The biggest issue with the cats apart from wake issues is they are so inefficient going slow and in crap weather and sea they have to slow down. You'd be better off with a big arsed ship kind of like a properly designed version of the size that the original proposal is sized at but without the stupid electrical BS in it. It would make a hell of a lot of sense, as people have said a 10-12 hour hop down the coast sleeping and off duty vs a 3-1/2 hour hop followed by a 10-14 hour drive...

Good on the Government for saying no. We don’t have a bottomless pit of money. Nice to see we have some adults running the country now.

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Good on the Government for saying no. We don’t have a bottomless pit of money. Nice to see we have some adults running the country now.

But the children left quite a few leggo blocks on the floor to cause everyone some pain

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

But the children left quite a few leggo blocks on the floor to cause everyone some pain

*deliberately

Originally Posted by STC

*deliberately

I think you are overestimating their abilities

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

I think you are overestimating their abilities

Yes and no.

Incompetence, mal-intent and outright corruption are not mutually exclusive.

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Good on the Government for saying no. We don’t have a bottomless pit of money. Nice to see we have some adults running the country now.

If every single person in the country stumped up a one-off $320 that would cover the blowout.
No way Jose. That's $1600 for my household of potential wasted taxes. That's not ok.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

If every single person in the country stumped up a one-off $320 that would cover the blowout.
No way Jose. That's $1600 for my household of potential wasted taxes. That's not ok.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

More like $600 from each and every person in NZ from the latest figure of $3 billion. $2400 for my household, and I'd still have to pay a fare to actually use it???? I don't think so!!!!!

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

More like $600 from each and every person in NZ from the latest figure of $3 billion. $2400 for my household, and I'd still have to pay a fare to actually use it???? I don't think so!!!!!

Don't forget to add that to each family's existing tab, stretching off to our grandkids, for all the other money borrowed.

I have a feeling in my water that the mods will soon deal to this thread....

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

More like $600 from each and every person in NZ from the latest figure of $3 billion. $2400 for my household, and I'd still have to pay a fare to actually use it???? I don't think so!!!!!

I was quoting the 1.4B extra the government just rejected, but yes, 600 per for the whole thing.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Nz Herald breakdown of ferry saga

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/how-ki...BEEIKOHASAEIY/

Now living in Blenheim I observe the following:
Erosion is a real problem in the sounds with pebbles/greywacke rocks appearing to be the shoreline norm.
Picton has very narrow and convoluted road access to the port. The road from Picton south, has slumped due to heavy vehicle usage.
Blenheim’s main traffic corridor is often chokka with heavy rigs.
TOLL is an Aussie company I think and they should have planned better ship replacement scheduling. That said, I’m not in favour of bigger vessels such as the x3 capacity formerly proposed. Reason? Congestion entering and exiting Picton.
I suggest bigger vessels could head further south to (say) Lyttleton as stated by others. Furthermore there must be some decent secondhand ships available in mothball state. Govt should not be propping up infrastructural blowouts.