Dunedin Railways runs tourism train rides through the Taieri Gorge and passengers from cruise ships used to be picked up from the port for the experience.
However, buses sourced from the Otago Heritage Bus Society have been used to get passengers from Port Chalmers into Dunedin for the train rides this summer as an interim measure.
KiwiRail has yet to provide comment about when it expects a resolution might be found.
However, operations executive general manager Paul Ashton said Dunedin Railways was allowed access to the network for a Port Chalmers-Dunedin service, as per its access agreement with KiwiRail.
"We are working with them to establish a timetable that suits their needs and KiwiRail’s freight requirements," Mr Ashton said.
The Otago Daily Times has asked for more information about the infrastructure plan.
Larnach Castle executive director Norcombe Barker said passengers from cruise ships used to be able to take the train ride in the morning and visit the castle in the afternoon, or vice versa.
The existing arrangement did not facilitate this, Mr Barker said.
"The sooner it’s sorted out, the better," he said.
He viewed some circumstances for tourism operators this summer as a one-off, as the industry sought to rebound from challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It was always going to be bumpy," he said.
Dunedin deputy mayor Sophie Barker said she did not believe Dunedin Railways bringing in heritage buses was "adding a huge amount to the visitor experience".
"It’s really not ideal," Cr Barker said.
The stretch between Dunedin and Port Chalmers had been a beautiful part of the Taieri Gorge train trip, she said.
