Councils to consider case for rail service from Hamilton to Auckland beginning 2020

November 15, 2018
Train generic

Waikato councils will consider the business case for a start-up passenger rail service from Hamilton to Auckland expected to begin in 2020, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today.

In a statement, Mr Twyford said the final business case approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) proposes a start-up service cost of $57.77 million over the next three years.

It comes after the Waikato Regional Transport Committee voted unanimously to include the proposed rail service in its local land transport plan last week.

It will now be under consideration by the Waikato Regional Council, Waikato District Council and the Hamilton City Council.

"The initial service, intended to start in March 2020, would be operated by KiwiRail and include a northbound morning peak service and a southbound evening peak service," he said.

"It would stop at Frankton, The Base (Te Rapa), Huntly and Papakura. The Huntly platform would need to be upgraded and a new island platform would be needed at The Base."

The service would begin with a four-carriage train carrying up to 150 passengers each way, before upgrading to a five-carriage train carrying up to 200 passengers as demand grows.

"Our Government is committed to developing transport options in our urban areas by investing close to $4 billion in public transport, rapid transit and metro rail across the country through the National Land Transport Fund in the next three years.

"Instead of transport investment trying to play catch up, we need to lead growth and shape our towns and cities. More people are commuting between Hamilton and Auckland, and introducing this service will give them a choice in how they do that."

The NZTA Board is expected to consider whether to fund the proposed rail service in December after the councils have voted.

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