Newmarket's $154m rail upgrade sees patrons up 26%

“We are delighted at the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s latest rail patronage figures for Newmarket. It goes to show that the $154 million invested in Newmarket’s rail infrastructure is proving to be money well spent,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

ARTA has reported that the combined usage of the new Newmarket and Grafton stations for Western line trains was 3,525 passenger trips in May this year compared to 2,797 trips made the year before. That’s a year on year increase of 26.1% compared to an overall increase on Western line services of 8.4%.

“The $35m Newmarket Station is proving to be a great asset. What’s more with electrification, it is predicted that the number of people catching the train to or from Newmarket will more than quadruple in the next six years.”

Mr Brewer says the nearby Grafton Station on the corner of Khyber Pass Road and Park Road is also proving to be a huge success.

“The number of people using the new Grafton Station in May compared to the number using the old Boston Road platform the previous May was up 45%. That is a stunning result.

“Newmarket’s new railway stations and facilities are making a great contribution to Auckland’s public transport network. They are well and truly earning their keep.

“Catching the train to and from Newmarket has now become a really viable transport option for employees and visitors alike.

“What’s more for the likes of tourists staying in the CBD getting to Newmarket’s shops is now a whole lot more attractive and easier. And let’s not forget Britomart to Newmarket costs just $1.50 and takes about eight minutes on the train. People are waking up to our great train facilities and services and it’s now being reflected in the statistics,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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