Hamilton-Auckland commuter train tipped to start in November

Tuesday, 19 May 2020

The start date for the Hamilton-Auckland passenger service, Te Huia, is scheduled for November 2020.

The Hamilton-Auckland passenger train is likely to take its first journey in November.

Coronavirus forced a delay to the highly-anticipated service as work on key stations stopped.

In 2018, the Transport Agency gave the green-light to a commuter train service between Hamilton and Auckland.

But Waikato regional councillor and rail working group chair Hugh Vercoe said November was a 'realistic start date' for the service known as Te Huia.

“The governance group will also be closely following the public transport patronage numbers for Waikato and Auckland over the next short while and these will be factored into a confirmed decision on the start date for our service,' Vercoe said in a statement.

An artist's impression of the new Rotokauri transport hub that will service the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train.

* Coronavirus: Start date for Hamilton to Auckland passenger train delayed

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“We know how keen people are to see this service up and running.

'We are too. But there are a number of factors outside our control that could impact when we roll out of Hamilton for the first time.'

There is a risk of productivity loss on building projects that could impact the Rotokauri Transport Hub bridge, the statement said.

The section of bridge from Hamilton’s Tasman Rd to the rail platform should be ready by the end of October, with the section across to The Base to follow four weeks later.

The Hamilton-Auckland passenger service will travel between Frankton and Papakura in 80 minutes.

It is a project led by Waikato Regional Council, working with KiwiRail, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Auckland Transport.