Wellington City Council will be viewing with interest Auckland Council’s proud vision for an inner city rail loop.

As our largest city looks to rail as the answer to its traffic gridlock, our city leaders are eyeing up the prospects of introducing light rail to the capital.

The Government has signalled in both cases it remains unconvinced of their respective promised benefits, given the significant investment involved in the design and construction.

Supporters of both schemes point to the need to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. Light rail fans also argue it can carry three times the number of passengers compared to buses.

However, given the risk-adverse nature of politicians in the current climate, maybe it is unsurprising central Government has expressed some reluctance.

Aside from the current fiscal challenges, one only needs to look at the recent experience in Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh.

There, the Scottish Government has been forced to intervene to oversee Edinburgh City Council’s troubled trams project – despite the present administration’s own heated opposition to it.

A project management hit-squad from the Government’s transport agency was called in to help complete the line between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre.

Initial plans to send trams down to the city’s Leith area, the inspiration for the novel and movie “Trainspotting”, have also been shelved.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government also released millions of pounds in grants on top of an initial $NZ1 billion commitment.

It is experiences like these which will send shivers down the spines of Government ministers under pressure from Auckland and Wellington leaders, and of course some voters, to support the public transport projects.

Ratepayers and taxpayers in both cities will also be keen to secure assurances that there can be no repeat of the Scottish experience here in New Zealand.