An everyday commuter rail line between Hamilton and Auckland has been ruled out for now, with Waikato Regional Council’s Hugh Vercoe saying commuter rail is not a feasible option between the two New Zealand centres.
The only option at the moment for passengers looking to travel between Hamilton and Auckland via train is KiwiRail’s scenic Northern Explorer journey. But with its luxury price tag, and once-a-day, six-day-a-week timetable, that service is not a viable option for ‘commuter’ duties.
Several public submissions for the newly-released 2015-2045 Waikato transport plan supported the development of a suitable commuter rail line between the two cities.
But the report, which Waikato Regional Council approved on Tuesday, says the commuter rail plan is not a possibility for now.
“In addition to network constraints, the working party also identified that at that time there was no willingness to pay for this service by the region’s ratepayers, partner councils and the NZ Transport Agency,” the report reads.
“This service is a medium to long term priority for the Waikato region,” it adds.
Vercoe, who is Waikato’s regional transport committee chairman, said the top priority of the public transport plan was the completion of the Waikato Expressway, a four lane, 102km highway through the region.
He noted the call from some for a viable commuter rail option between Hamilton, or North Waikato and Auckland, but said such a project was not likely any time soon.
“The plan expresses support for the concept,” he said, “but acknowledges it is currently not a feasible option.
“However, under the plan, the committee will continue to look for opportunities to pursue commuter rail further.”