Plans for a Hamilton – Auckland commuter train are well underway with testing of tracks beginning in August.
Once the trials are complete, 150 passengers will be able between Hamilton, Huntly and Auckland with the first departure scheduled on November 2.
Waikato Regional Councillor and Chair of the Rail Governance Committee Hugh Vercoe, said the aim is to develop a rail service that connects Hamilton city with Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, Te Awamutu and Morrinsville.
“It can be done, all the infrastructure is there. So all you’ve got to do is get an engine, put a carriage on behind and away you go,” said Vercoe
Two return services will operate each weekday at peak travel times and one return journey every Saturday.
The route will start from Frankton Station and travel via Rotokauri and Huntly before terminating at Papakura Station in South Auckland where commuters can pick up the Auckland Transport Network into the CBD.
Travel time from Rotokauri to Central Auckland will take just over two hours.
The project is led by the Waikato Regional Council, working with KiwiRail, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Auckland Transport.
