Commuter rail could be extended
An extension north by five stops is being proposed for the new commuter rail service out of Hamilton.
Commuter rail to Auckland is due to launch mid-2020 but already, Hamilton City Councillors are looking to push the Papakura stop another 12km along the tracks to Puhinui Station.
In August, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the Government confirmed $92m to build and run the passenger rail service – $79.8m from government coffers and $12.57m from local ratepayers. But an opportunity to penetrate regional rail services deeper into Auckland’s network came up recently, said Cr Dave Macpherson at yesterday’s meeting, and should be jumped on.
‘‘This is a logical extension,’’ Macpherson said. ‘‘Think of the benefit, if it goes ahead, it is going to give the Waikato and Hamilton residents access to a quick public transport system.’’
Councillors voted 12 to one to approve $25,000 towards a business case on enabling the service into Puhinui Station, subject to the New Zealand Transport Agency also taking part in the business case. A request will also go to Waikato Regional Council to contribute up to the same amount of $25,000.
Cr Garry Mallett, who was the lone dissenter, said the benefits of extending north are so small a microscope would be needed to see them.
‘‘This is not about rail versus road. It’s about good value for money,’’ Mallett said.
The passenger rail service from Hamilton is currently scheduled to stop at Papakura Station. Passengers will alight the train and board an Auckland Transport train to travel further north to Britomart Station – a trip of more than 2 and a half hours.
Puhinui Station is being developed as a major link to Auckland Airport and the Botany Rapid Transit Project with construction on a $60m interchange kicking off yesterday, attended by Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. The interchange, which is expected to open in 2021, will have a bus link to the airport and in future a rail link. The study needs to get underway quickly, council’s development general manager Chris Allen said.
Hamilton’s trains require a separate platform and while Auckland Transport have future proofed a platform in the Puhinui Station construction, it will not enable work to be done. No robust analysis has been done on getting Hamilton passengers to Puhinui.
‘‘If it doesn’t come off immediately, certainly, the work will not be wasted,’’ Macpherson said. ‘‘It will happen in the future. This is the only thing that gives us a chance of getting in on Day 1 of Puhinui Station opening.’’ If it does go ahead, trains from Hamilton to Puhinui Station would take one hour 30 minutes and a bus from Puhinui Station to the Auckland International Airport would take 10 to 12 minutes.
Mayor Andrew King said the work done is the start of greater improvements in the future.
‘‘I believe there will be long term economic benefits that are unmeasurable with this connection between Hamilton and Auckland that will only be improved on,’’ King said.
‘‘I believe there will be long term economic benefits that are unmeasurable with this connection between Hamilton and Auckland that will only be improved on.’’
Mayor Andrew King