New Zealand ferries lure rail and vehicles

KiwiRail, a New Zealand rail and ferry company, has announced plans to extend the 'Aratere', a Ro-Ro rail and vehicle ferry, by 30 metres. Spurring the decision is a planned port at Clifford Bay on the South Island, which would cut 20 minutes of sailing and 50 minutes of driving time.

The plan to extend 'Aratere' will be completed by July 2011, adding another 120 metres of rail capacity. For the 'Kaitaka', a Ro-Pax ferry, which is on charter from Stena RoRo, there are plans to add rails before 2015.

The company is losing foot passengers to low cost airlines and intends to focus more on rail and vehicle capacity. A new terminal in Wellington is also on the agenda.