Latest news with #TeHuia
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Scoop
Final Green Light Given For Sunday Te Huia Services
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council Final approval has been given and the date set for the first Te Huia Sunday service between Waikato and Auckland stations. Te Huia (Photo/Supplied) The first Sunday service will depart Frankton station at 2.45pm on Sunday, 27 July, arriving at central … Final approval has been given and the date set for the first Te Huia Sunday service between Waikato and Auckland stations. The first Sunday service will depart Frankton station at 2.45pm on Sunday, 27 July, arriving at central Auckland's Strand station at 5.17pm. It will leave Auckland for the return journey at 6.15pm, arriving in Hamilton at 8.37pm. 'This is a significant step forward for our Waikato to Auckland rail service as it enters the final year of its trial,' said Phil King, Waikato Regional Council's Regional Transport Connections Director. 'It will strengthen connectivity, support tourism, and make the service better for workers, students and families travelling between both regions. It will especially provide an alternative travel option to large sporting and cultural events and provide connection seven days a week to the Auckland Airport. 'Just as importantly, it comes in time for us to assess its success ahead of a decision being made early next year on the future of Te Huia by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Board,' Mr King said. KiwiRail's Executive General Manager Passenger Tracey Goodall welcomed the new service. 'KiwiRail is proud to operate Te Huia on behalf of Waikato Regional Council. Patronage on Te Huia has continued to grow, and its service offering continues to improve – initially stopping at Pukekohe Station and now a return service between Hamilton and Auckland on Sundays.' 'A final push to upgrade the rail network in Auckland is ongoing for the rest of this year and into 2026, ahead of the City Rail Link opening and at times KiwiRail's Waikato maintenance teams will need more time working on the tracks between Hamilton and Pukekohe. This means occasional disruption to the Te Huia service, but we are trying to keep this to a minimum wherever possible, while still delivering the much-needed Auckland upgrade.' In May, a proposed timetable for a Sunday afternoon Te Huia service was approved by the Auckland Metro Timetable Committee, which includes representatives from Auckland Transport and metro operator Auckland One Rail, as well as KiwiRail and Waikato Regional Council. Waikato Regional Councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the costs of the Sunday return service during a full council meeting in late May. KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee has since unanimously approved the Sunday travel for the line between Hamilton and Pukekohe as part of a standard process for new train services or changes to existing services.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
Press Release – Waikato Regional Council Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Critical Step Taken Towards A Sunday Service For Te Huia
A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council today approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost. Customer satisfaction surveys since the Waikato to Auckland passenger rail service started in 2021 have consistency indicated demand for a Sunday return service. However, it had not previously been possible due to engineering works across the Auckland network and budget. While some weekend works connected with the City Rail Link project will continue into 2026, as well as scheduled track maintenance, Waikato regional councillors heard at their 29 May meeting that a Sunday service time slot had been requested. Formal approval had since been received from the Auckland Timetable Committee, which comprises representatives of Auckland One Rail, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Waikato Regional Council. However, a decision is still to be made by KiwiRail's National Timetable Committee. Until this final tick of approval is received, a date for the start of the Sunday service cannot be set, councillors heard. However, timings have been considered if the service goes ahead, with Te Huia departing from Frankton approximately 3pm and from The Strand approximately 6pm on Sundays. 'Te Huia started as a commuter service but has evolved to enable more people to enjoy leisure and tourism activities in both Waikato and Auckland. A Sunday service would not only be a gamechanger for Te Huia, but for both regions too,' said Waikato Regional Council Chair, Pamela Storey. 'We are committed to giving this service every chance of success beyond the end of the trial, because we know there are many workers and tertiary students who have come to rely on it, as well as people visiting whānau and friends.' Councillor Angela Strange, deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, said: 'Ever since the inception of Te Huia, Sunday services are what our public and community have been calling for.' She said the subcommittee has unanimously supported Sunday services. The $456,000 service cost is expected to be offset by fare revenue of almost $100,000, with the balance of the operating costs to come from the existing Te Huia budget reserve. The reserve was accumulated due to the delayed launch of the passenger rail service and other factors, including COVID-19 lockdowns and driver shortages. In a unanimous vote, councillors approved the reallocation of reserve funds. 'Using the reserves will have no rating impact and will provide certainty for planning. The introduction of a Sunday service is also a necessary stepping stone to improved services and demonstrating the value of Te Huia to central government,' Cr Storey said. A regional council submission on the Auckland Council's annual plan for $223,000 co-funding of the service appears to have not been supported, a staff report said. 'We will continue to pursue a contribution from Auckland Council in support of the service, because there is the potential for significant economic benefits for both regions,' she said.
