Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Partnership key to new rail service

Better connections for a growing city and a great example of a partnership approach is how Hamilton City Council Chief Executive Richard Briggs has welcomed today’s funding decision for Hamilton-Auckland passenger rail infrastructure.

The NZ Transport Agency Board confirmed implementation funding to support the Council’s investment in the new Rotokauri transport hub and improvements at Frankton railway station. The transport hub will include a park and ride facility, a bus interchange and a pedestrian overbridge for people to access The Base.

On a regional level, the funding decision also supports the Waikato District Council’s Huntly rail station upgrade and KiwiRail’s new carriage maintenance facility at Te Rapa. The funding also confirms development of ticketing systems and installation of wifi on carriages.

“This is a special day for Hamilton, and the development of the rail service and other transport connections which will operate from the transport hub will be a key part of helping our residents get around our city and the wider region,” Mr Briggs says.

“Our Council has championed this project for a long time, and I want to acknowledge the way in which our partners, neighbouring councils, staff and government agencies have come together to get the best outcome for our communities. I would particularly like to thank the government and Minister Twyford for his support in effective partnerships between central and local government.”

The passenger rail service travelling from Hamilton to Papakura is planned to start in mid-2020, with two return services on weekdays and one return service on Saturdays.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr Briggs says it’s another link in a public transport approach which is essential to managing congestion and improving safety as the city grows.

“Through the Waikato Regional Council’s Busit service, Hamilton already has free buses for 18-years and under on weekends, as well as a disability concession across the region. Passenger rail is another vital component in a city which expects to attract another 21,000 residents in the 10 years to 2028,” he says.

The start-up rail project is being led by Waikato Regional Council, with partners NZ Transport Agency, Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council. KiwiRail are delivering the rolling stock and the project is being delivered with the co-operation of Auckland Transport.

The passenger rail connection between Hamilton and Auckland is one of the priority projects of the Hamilton to Auckland Corridor Plan, a joint iwi-council-central government initiative.


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.