The new rail service between Hamilton and Auckland will be implemented, as the NZ Transport Agency has approved the funding for construction of the route to start up the rail service. It includes construction and operation with funding of NZD 92.37 million (USD 59 million), made up of NZD 79.80 million (USD 51 million) from the Transport Agency and NZD 12.57 million (USD 8 million) from local authorities.
The service is expected to roll out of Frankton in Hamilton in mid-2020, will stop at The Base in Rotokauri before going onto Huntly and finally stopping in Papakura in Auckland, where passengers can change onto the Auckland Public Transport Network. Future stops may include Te Kauwhata, Pokeno and Tuakau.
The total journey from Rotokauri (The Base) to Britomart in Auckland will take an estimated 2 hours.
The service is an important first step to strengthening the connection between two of New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing urban areas, the minster said.
The service will initially start with a four-carriage train which can carry 150 passengers, with two morning peak trains and two return afternoon peak trains. As demand grows, it can be expanded to a five-carriage train carrying up to 200 passengers, Phil Twyford explained.
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