KiwiRail’s national network of yards plays a key role in its rail freight business and is vital for freight operations. Despite their importance, many yards have been unable to support KiwiRail’s business and national mode share objectives. As a result, KiwiRail sought a business case to assess and identify a prioritised programme for the improvement of these yards through the 2021 Rail Network Investment Programme.
Lycopodium and Stantec developed agreed objectives in conjunction with KiwiRail to meet planned benefits of improved safety, efficiency, and reliability across the network. Specific interventions at yard and asset levels were developed to meet these objectives and these were presented in seven potential investment programmes, from which a preferred programme was determined.
The Programme Business Case was completed in July 2023. It provided a clear investment pathway for improvement to the network with both short and long-term interventions outlined to ensure benefits can be realised for the network immediately while also allowing for changing freight movements in the future.
