All aboard Te Huia
Heads of government and regional leaders have stepped foot on the country’s first new passenger train between cities in decades.
The dark grey sweep of Te Huia’s wings were poised at the station yesterday, as the country’s first new passenger train between cities in decades took flight from Hamilton.
Heads of government and Waikato councils pledge that the $98 million Hamilton to Auckland commuter service, Te Huia, will revitalise rail and cut down transport emissions.
Commuters can use morning and evening services from Tuesday, April 6.
It will take 1.5 hours to reach Papakura and 2.5 hours to get to Central Auckland with a transfer at Britomart.
As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Kiingi Tuheitia, MPs and Waikato leaders walked on the baking asphalt at the new
Rotokauri Transport Hub, Te Huia’s sleek silver carriages drew alongside.
Ardern and dignitaries took the 22-minute test-ride on the train to Huntly, for the opening of the new Raahui Pookeka-Huntly platform.
Speaking in Hamilton, Ardern said the commuter service symbolised three things: tenacity, growth, and the challenge of climate change.
The train has the potential to replace up to 73,000 return car trips annually, Ardern said, reducing carbon emissions from transport. Future generations needed people to use different transport, she said.
‘‘I hope one day that I can part with Neve Te Aroha and that she can travel on this train from Auckland to visit her grandparents here in Waikato.’’
The Government has invested $85.8 million in the service through Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, while local authorities have provided $12.2 million.
Waikato leaders have also heralded the launch of the train as an ‘‘exciting new era’’ in public transport.
Regional council chairman Russ Rimmington lambasted the previous government for its ‘‘contempt’’ for trains and said the multimillion-dollar investment would ignite ‘‘a rail renaissance’’.
Rimmington said Te Huia, which saw the establishment of a multi-council working group, was a ‘‘triumph’’ of collaboration.
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate agreed, adding the service would accelerate growth and collaboration between two of New Zealand’s most exciting developing cities.
The train’s carriages were originally made in the 1970s and were brought over to Auckland from the United Kingdom. They were refurbished again in New Zealand, KiwiRail chief executive Greg Miller explained.
‘‘Te Huia is built on solid bones.’’
The launch was testament to the welders, electricians and engineers who had worked on the train.
Now the carriages had new seats, new heating, wi-fi connection and disability access, Miller said.
Inside, staff wore Te Huia’s colours – fresh white shirts and grey, red and mustard ties and scarves.
Te Huia staff at the cafeteria told Stuff hungry travellers would soon be able to purchase tea, coffee, cold drinks, toasted sandwiches and a decent pie.
The route passed the pastures along the Old State Highway 1, to Nga¯ruawa¯hia, curving around Taupiri cemetery with a view of the Waikato River as it landed at the new Raahui Pookeka-Huntly platform.
Huntly College students welcomed dignitaries with waiata, as kids on their bikes looked at the festivities from the overbridge.
The train will run return services from Hamilton to Papakura from April 6, leaving early in the morning, and in the evening.
Waikato commuters can board the train in Frankton, Rotokauri Transport Hub and Huntly.
Tickets will cost $12.20 from Hamilton and $7.80 from Huntly.
For the first few months, Te Huia will only operate on select Saturdays, starting April 17, due to rail maintenance work.