A passenger rail service between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga starting in 2019 will be trialled by the Green Party – if it is in government.
The service will be based on the concept released today by Greater Auckland for regional rapid rail and an upper North Island passenger network.
It would run five times a day between Hamilton and Auckland, with one return service to Tauranga daily.
“The Greens in government will restore rail as the backbone of New Zealand’s transport system, for freight and for people,” Green Party transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter says.
“I expect a lot of people from Hamilton and Tauranga will be attracted by the idea of being able to work and rest while on the train, and avoid Auckland traffic once in the city.”
The trial will cost $20 million over five years, with the money reprioritised from National’s spending on “low value” motorways, Genter says.
It would take about two hours and 15 minutes to travel between Hamilton and Auckland, and three hours and 30 minutes from Tauranga to Auckland, she says.
“If this trial is successful, we’ll look at creating a premium, fast service that would be about an hour quicker. This is estimated to cost around $400 million and could start in 2025.”
