|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
After many years in the making and extensive coverage by local media, the train has finally left (or arrived at?) the station.
As covered in previous reports, the new Drury and Paerata railway stations officially came online today. Services begin tomorrow.
The stations were opened by rail minister, Winston Peters, and transport minister Chris Bishop.
“Around 130,000 more people are expected in this part of Auckland over coming decades, and infrastructure must come before growth – not years afterwards, as too often happens in this country,” Mr Peters says.
“These stations are here because we funded them when last responsible for rail, as part of our wider commitments to unlock capacity, lift train frequencies. While others say nice words about rail, we fund it, deliver it, and on this happy occasion are still here to open it.”
Electrification of Auckland’s rail network was all but completed more than a decade ago, however efforts stopped short, ending at Papakura. Pukekohe finally caught up, joining the electrified network in February last year.
Although planning for the new stations began under the former Labour government, Bishop says the stations are part of the government’s recent investment in Auckland’s rail network and will support growth in the south.
“These stations are among the final elements of a recent $2.4 billion dollar government investment in Auckland’s rail network,” he says.
“The Auckland Rail Network Rebuild has been completed in time for the City Rail Link (CRL) to open soon. We’re also replacing level crossings across the network to support more frequent train services.”
The Third Main Line is now open, separating freight and passenger rail services.
“This is about investing in infrastructure that will help allow our largest city to grow,” Bishop adds. “Our investment is delivering convenient and reliable trains, to help improve productivity, and new infrastructure out here in southern Auckland to enable housing and business growth.”
A third new station, Ngākōroa (Drury west) is set to open in 2027 completing a project (effectively) decades in the making.
