The Hawke's Bay Regional Transport Committee says KiwiRail needs to make a decision on the future of the East Coast rail line as soon as possible.
Areas of the line were washed out in a storm in March and it is estimated it will cost at least $4 million to repair.
In recent months, KiwiRail has been assessing whether it should go ahead with the repair and it has been meeting with councils, customers and other stakeholders.
Regional transport committee chairman Alan Dick says the vulnerability of Gisborne port as a reliable transport link was highlighted last week when swells of up to eight metres caused damage.
Mr Dick says the committee wants a decision from KiwiRail and the Government that supports strategic transport.
KiwiRail says a decision will be made soon.
