Auckland train a traffic solution

Traffic jams, pies, and money all featured in passenger rail discussions at Hamilton City Council.

Most councillors are interested in a commuter train to Auckland but two – James Casson and Garry Mallett – marked their opposition at Tuesday’s meeting.

Deputy Mayor Martin Gallagher urged his colleagues to imagine future traffic jams.

‘‘Are you honestly suggesting that in 25 years the only way we will get from Hamilton to Auckland is by vehicular transport along a very, very busy motorway-slash-expressway?’’

Without passenger rail and with an increasing ‘‘Manurewa South car park’’, Hamilton will lose the advantage of its proximity to Auckland, he said.

The congestion point is steadily moving south, Cr Dave Macpherson said.

‘‘If we don’t start [passenger rail] now, with a government that’s supportive and going to put in a great majority of the money, I suggest we probably never will.’’

The train trip to and from Auckland could provide four hours of productive work time for many people, Cr Mark Bunting said. ‘‘That’s why I was asking all these seemingly glib questions about [being able to buy a] pie and the wifi,’’ he said.

Cr Angela O’Leary said she supports passenger rail but wants more information first.

Cr Mallett said it was a huge cost for little gain, given passenger demand was expected to be around

280 a day.

The numbers were absurd, he said.

Cr Geoff Taylor was impressed by the Government’s support and said more information was coming in a detailed business case.

‘‘For councillors who have closed off their minds already, I might just suggest you . . . see how the figures stack up.’’

Trains wouldn’t arrive early enough for most people with professional jobs, Cr Casson said, and many of them would have company cars.

Waikato Regional Council has approved the rail as part of its longterm plan, city infrastructure general manager Chris Allen said, but with various conditions including on government funding levels.

Hamilton city councillors voted

9-2 to accept the rail update and to hear more from staff before October 2018.