Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the Government is not happy with KiwiRail’s performance, especially after the Aratere ferry crashed into the wharf in Wellington. KiwiRail is investigating the crash, which is part of ongoing issues with the old ship.
Brown mentioned on Radio New Zealand that KiwiRail’s board is being changed to improve management. After the crash, the Aratere suffered minor damage, but repair work is ongoing. The link span, which helps rail access the ferry, was fixed by 11pm, but the ship’s hull still needs new plating.
The Aratere was carrying 106 passengers, 40 crew, and several vehicles when the incident happened at 3:30pm on Thursday, but thankfully, no one was hurt. Affected passengers are being moved to other sailings. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Earlier this year, the Aratere ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds due to a crew error. There have been more problems as the Government has not approved new plans to replace the aging ferry fleet, which has faced criticism recently. The Government has not yet shared its new plans for the ferries.
