3 May 2002

The Auckland Regional Council presented its plans to get more trains on Auckland’s tracks to the Auckland Mayoral Forum today.

The ARC has jointly developed the rail project plan with project partner Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL).

“Our vision is to have modern trains running to modern stations every ten minutes at peak by 2006,” says ARC Chair Gwen Bull.

The ARC has a three-pronged attack to get more trains on track by 2006. The first is to get the best use of the current fleet by refurbishing the ten younger trains currently being used.

“Secondly, we will commission interim trains in time for the Britomart Transport Centre opening in July 2003,” says Cr Bull.

Thirdly, new trains will be ordered and start arriving from mid-2005. By December 2006 the fleet will be boosted to 35 new and refurbished trains.

“We are working on these three actions already,” says Cr Bull. “The ARC has already approved contracting to Tranz Rail for the refurbishment of the 10 younger trains, and also approved a process for the appointment of a new rail operator.

“There are still some issues to sort out due to the fact that there are many project partners with different responsibilities, but I’m confident all issues will be worked through successfully,” says Cr Bull.

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