Promoting and improving passenger rail services
New passenger rail services are being supported in both the upper and lower North Island.
Te Huia, the Hamilton to Auckland start-up passenger rail service, is a transformational project for the Waikato region. It will give regular commuters to Auckland a safe, comfortable and productive travel option. Te Huia is being led by the Waikato Regional Council, with partners KiwiRail, Waka Kotahi, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Auckland Transport.
This multi-organisation governance and technical grouping has enhanced the progress of the project, with collaboration securing over $90 million of funding.
In the lower North Island, the primary passenger rail service provided in the Manawatū-Whanganui region is the Capital Connection which travels between Palmerston North and Wellington. It is a weekday commuter service that completes a morning and evening trip with various stops along the way.
The Capital Connection has been operating since 1991 and is an established and integral part of the transport network between Palmerston North and Wellington, relieving the congestion that often affects the regional road corridor.
For some years the future of the service was in doubt but support from regional and territorial authorities, working with Government, has not only secured the service but will improve it by investing in new rolling stock and maintenance and increasing service frequency.
Funding has been secured to develop a detailed business case, with the award of a new rolling stock supply contract anticipated in early 2023 and the new carriages coming into service in 2026-2027. As part of this business case, increased service frequency will also be rolled out at the same time the new carriages come into service.
The planned improvements will enable the Capital Connection to provide additional travel choice and reduce congestion on State Highway 1. It will reduce carbon emissions and support regional and national economic growth in the lower North Island through increased access.
This proposed purchase will also replace existing stock on the other long-range commuter service in the Wellington region, the Wairarapa Connection operating between Masterton and Wellington. New stock will improve the attractiveness of both services and permit increased service levels and capacity.
The development of passenger rail services aligns with the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport which is committed to creating an efficient, modern and resilient transport system across all transport modes.
