JOINT MEDIA RELEASE:
Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority

13 March 2007

Rotting rail orphan rescued

The Onehunga Branch line is to be rescued and pressed into service for commuter and freight trains.

The government today gave the green light for ONTRACK to upgrade the line.

It can be done as part of the current projects being carried out in Auckland by ONTRACK and ARTA, and funding will come from the $600 million granted by government in December 2005.

The Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Transport Authority and ONTRACK have been collaborating on the project over past weeks, which is possible because of the modest costs involved. Upgrading the track is expected to cost $10 million.

The Onehunga line, which last carried commuter trains in 1973, should be open by 2009. Trains are expected to run every 30 minutes.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Michael Lee said Onehunga residents had played a vital role by keeping interest in the line alive through an 8000-signature petition last year. He applauded the government for listening and responding decisively.

“Things have moved much faster than expected. The old line had been mothballed to keep future options open, but now we can wring value out this previously abandoned public asset.”

Commuter trains are more popular in Auckland than ever - boardings have grown from 2.5 million in 2004 to over 5.6 million this past year. “Six million is within sight, we must be ready for growth,” Mr Lee said.

The ARC’s transport policy chairman Joel Cayford said extending the commuter network was part of the strategic plan to take pressure off the region’s roads. Reopening the Onehunga line was an example of giving a fast-growing community an alternative way to travel.

The ARC’s transport policy committee yesterday voted to support ONTRACK’s offer to rehabilitate the service and commissioned an urgent report on what the region would need to do to support of the upgrade in terms of funding and long-term planning.

ARTA chairman Brian Roche said his organisation would work closely with the ARC and ONTRACK, and review the necessary requirements for running services through Onehunga.

ENDS

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