PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

 

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Tram Achieves Charitable Status

 

While it is still to be seen on the road, the Manawatu Tram has been granted registration as a charity and granted Donee organisation status  allowing for donations to be claimed as tax deductible for people or companies who qualify.

 

“I have received so many unsolicited positive responses for the Tram project,” says Manawatu Tram Trust Chairman Paul O’Brien, “people literally come up to me in the street to ask about the tram or to endorse what we are proposing. 

 

“Quite a number have said they will support us financially as well, so now with charitable and Donee status, hopefully we’ll start to see some of that support in our bank account.”

 

The Manawatu Tram Trust is aiming to commission the building of a replica heritage tram that is powered by eco-friendly renewable resources and to set the vehicle up in operation on a route around The Square in Palmerston North.  The vehicle is intended to be trackless and trolley-less, negating the need for slippery, dangerous tracks and unsightly overhead wires.

 

“The world is starting to take an interest in what we are doing, eco-friendly mass public transport.  In Europe, and countries like India and China, this is public transport of the future, powered by locally available renewable resources.  It’s the sort exciting innovation that is attracting the attention of international backers; however we’re being careful to retain and protect the intellectual copyright and to encourage the development locally where we can.”

 

 

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Contact:

Paul O’Brien

06 350 0342

021 422 455