The Harry Potter experience could be on offer for students with a special train to bring them south to the University of Otago.
Dr Duncan Connors, of the university’s Otago Business School, is working to get the idea on track.
"It really makes a lot of sense. At the start of each semester, you have about 2000 students coming from Christchurch to Dunedin, and most of them would be transported down in gas-guzzling vehicles.
"Instead of that they could have the Harry Potter thing of getting on the train to Dunedin and busing them to their flat or halls of residence."
The report said Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga and the council supported investigations into market demand and the potential operating model for a pilot.
Dr Connors said the university’s target for net-zero emissions by 2030 was behind the plan.
"We have a commitment to reduce our footprint, and that includes what we can do as staff; I try to not travel when I can use Zoom or Teams, for instance," he said.
"But students also have to be a part of that commitment too."
Dr Connors said he would like the trial to start during the mid-semester break.
"I know a lot of students who want this. I am sure it would be a success," Dr Connors said.
"We could mandate it ... if you don’t have any special ailments, you might be mandated to use the train from Christchurch."
Dr Connors said should the trial prove successful, then there was the potential to use it for concerts, rugby matches and other events.
"It’s a great way to deliver tourists, and a great accessibility tool for the disabled," he said.
KiwiRail scenic journeys and commuter rail general manager Tracey Goodall said it offered charter rail services and had met the university to discuss its concept of a pilot charter service for students travelling from Christchurch to begin their year of study.
"The Main South Line is a fantastic rail route and the Dunedin Railway Station is one of the best arrival locations in New Zealand, and the university has an ambition to explore low-emission options which we are working with them on," Ms Goodall said.
