Jump to content

Te Huia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Te Huia
Te Huia train travelling through Takanini
Overview
Service typeInter-city
StatusOperating
LocaleWaikato, New Zealand
PredecessorWaikato Connection
First service6 April 2021
Current operator(s)Waikato Regional Council
Ridership69,165 (2023)
Websitetehuiatrain.co.nz
Route
TerminiHamilton
Auckland (Strand)
Stops4
Distance travelled138.37 kilometres (85.98 mi)
Average journey time2 hours, 36 minutes[1]
Service frequencyMonday to Wednesday: Twice-daily return

Thursday and Friday: Thrice-daily return Saturday: Twice-daily return

Sunday: No service
On-board services
Seating arrangements147[2]
Catering facilitiesYes – a café / bar
Other facilitiesWi-Fi, Bike Storage, and Toilets
Technical
Rolling stockNew Zealand DF class locomotive (1979) and SR, SRC and SRV class carriages
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Route map
0.00 km
Frankton
6.73
Rotokauri (The Base)
31.47
Huntly
104.63
Papakura
116.53
Puhinui
138.37
The Strand

Te Huia is a passenger train service between Hamilton, Papakura, and Auckland (The Strand) in New Zealand. The service is a five-year trial with subsidies from the NZ Transport Agency and Waikato local authorities. The opening was delayed because of COVID-19 and the need to replace some rail track. A new starting date was announced, and the service began on 6 April 2021.[3][4] Subject to consultation, the 2024 GPS, which sets out government spending plans for transport, does not include the $50m a year to 2026, for inter regional public transport,[5] which was in the draft GPS of August 2023, issued by the previous Labour government, and which was being used to fund Te Huia.[6]

Initial proposals

[edit]

After the June 2006 announcement of the Overlander's cancellation, there were proposals to re-instate the Waikato Connection, including from Dave Macpherson, Hamilton City Council's Passenger Transport Committee chairman. The Overlander's cancellation was subsequently rescinded, eliminating the possibility of using its rolling stock on a new Waikato Connection, but other proposals have remained due to increased vehicular traffic volumes straining road capacity. These proposals include using the Silver Fern railcars as in the original Waikato Connection, though they were at the time under contract for suburban commuter trains between Auckland and Pukekohe. Proposals were floated in 2007 to reinstate the service.[7] An interim proposal from the Rail Working Group in 2011 recommended further assessment of three options:

a) A Silver Fern railcar from Hamilton to Papakura with a transfer to the MAXX service at Papakura
b) Extension of the MAXX service to Hamilton
c) The composite train option (Silver Fern railcar coupled to the back of an existing MAXX service at Pukekohe).

This proposal addressed cost concerns raised by the affected local government organisations by making use of existing rolling stock and infrastructure where possible and avoiding use of the Britomart Transport Centre which, because of capacity constraints, was not available for peak-time arrivals and departures of such a service.[8]

The proposal was dropped on a 2011 report[9] in favour of extension only from Pukekohe to Tuakau, but that was also shelved.[10] In 2016 the Transport Minister said, when starting work on a parallel section of Waikato Expressway costing over $2bn, "it will be some time before it makes its case economically".[11]

A further study to establish a strategic business case was started in 2017.[12] It identified the lack of a third line to Auckland and consequently, a journey time of over 2h 20m as obstacles.[13] Regional Council's 2018 Long Term Plan consultation also includes a question asking whether Hamilton ratepayers will pay about $11 a year for a skeleton commuter service from Hamilton to Papakura.[14] A paper for the same plan proposes a Hamilton–Papakura bus link, taking 1h 20m, 10 minutes faster and much cheaper,[15] at an estimated annual cost of $54,000.[16]

Re-introduction of service

[edit]

The Sixth Labour Government promised commuter rail in 18 months to Hamilton[17] and commuter rail to Hamilton and Tauranga.[18] Hamilton residents want a passenger service right into Auckland (Britomart if possible).[19] Labour MP Jamie Strange expected the service to be operating by the end of 2019.[20] A 2018 Waikato Regional Council plan aimed to have more than 95% of peak rail trips completed in less than 2h 30m (compared with 50% by road) within 5 years, 2h within 15 years and eventually 90 minutes (90 km/h (56 mph) average).[21]

In 2019, the unofficially popular name[22] of Tron Express was announced and the start date further delayed to mid-2020.[23] But Tron received fewest positive comments and was the least well liked in focus groups,[24] so Te Huia was then recommended by two Waikato councils.[25] In 2019, there was also discussion over the level of NZTA funding.[26]

Detailed planning in 2018 put the start date back to March 2020.[27] The delayed supply of new bogies from overseas delayed by two months the startup from March to May 2020.[28][29] The service introduction was then delayed to November 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.[30][31]

The need to replace some rail track in the Auckland area (including Papakura) where slow (40 km/h (25 mph)) speed limits would otherwise be required had meant that the likely start month has been put back to February 2021.[3][32] It was later announced to begin 6 April 2021.[33]

In November 2018, the proposed service from March 2020 was expected to take 91 minutes from Frankton to Papakura, stopping at Rotokauri and Huntly; and transferring at Papakura to another train to take 2h 29m total to Britomart.[34]

In 2018 KiwiRail planned that the service would run Monday to Friday (two trains) and Saturday (one train), with a running time of 88 minutes, between Hamilton railway station and Papakura railway station, with stops at Rotokauri (a new station near The Base shopping mall on the outskirts of Hamilton and the site of the former Te Rapa railway station) and Huntly railway station (to be upgraded).[35]

In late 2020, Waikato Regional Council published Te Huia's website. The new planned journey time was extended to 98 minutes (Frankton to Papakura), with intermediate stops at Rotokauri and Huntly.[36] The fares are Adult $12.20 (Hamilton Stations-Papakura) with a Bee Card, or $17 without.[37] Cheaper or Free fares are available for Children, Students, SuperGold (Saturdays), and Accessibility.[37] From 12 July 2021 the Hamilton-Papakura fares were $12 with a card and $20 without[37] and the same fares applied to Saturday services to Strand.[38] Fares in 2023 were $9 and $15 respectively.[39]

Patronage

[edit]
Monthly Te Huia Ridership January 2022 to November 2024[40]
Year 2022
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Ridership 578 1,592 2,177 6,097 5,506 4,981 7,609 5,805 6,677 7,147 6,231 4,864
Year 2023
Ridership 3,056 3,825 7,120 6,692 5,707 5,813 4,994 8,164 6,433 6,172 6,000 5,189
Year 2024
Ridership 3,428 6,340 7,471 9,212 9,466 6,882 8,572 7,867 7,050 7,516 7,343

On the first day up to 106 passengers were on the trains, but for the rest of the first week of operation passenger numbers on each train ranged between 12 and 48, with the earlier trains generally more popular than the later.[41] On the first Saturday, passengers were standing and others were unable to join at Huntly.[42] Average daily loadings in the first seven weeks were 153, 118, 222, 287, 123, 130 and 149.[43] On 9 July 2021 it was announced that the Saturday service would from then on run to Strand[44] Saturday services were still close to seated capacity in July, when extension to Strand allowed capacity to be doubled.[38] After another lockdown, trains ran from 24 January to 28 February 2022 with an average of 83 passengers on weekdays and 60 on Saturdays. Te Huia has suffered from a decline, like other public transport, due to COVID-19. Late running was also a problem in early 2022, with 47 trains on-time and 32 late, due to speed restrictions, heat speed restrictions and delays in track tamping work.[45] Although schedules have been eased, they are sometimes not sufficient. Due largely to Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle, 11% of trains were more than 15 minutes late in January 2023, but, even without the bad weather, 3 to 5% of trains were that late for most of 2022.[46]

The new schedule and extension to the Strand, from 24 January 2022,[47] increased patronage significantly, with record numbers in April 2022, an average of 265 passengers a day - an average of 240 passengers on weekdays and 353 on Saturdays.[48]

Operation

[edit]

On 11 July 2023, Te Huia was banned from entering the Auckland metro area by Waka Kotahi after two signal passed at danger (SPAD) incidents (one each in Penrose and Hamilton), forcing the service to terminate at Papakura. Waka Kotahi requires the locomotives are fitted with ETCS to operate in the area.[49][50] Full service from Hamilton to Auckland Strand resumed on 6 August 2023, with one week of free promotional fares.[51] 60 to 80% of services arrive on time (or within 5 minutes).[52]

On 17 May 2024, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency announced that it would reduce funding for the Te Huia service from 75.% to 60%, commencing 1 July 2024.[53]

Rolling stock

[edit]
Two southbound SR class carriages in Te Huia's livery at Meadowbank, NIMT, on 7 March 2022.
A DF class locomotive hauling SA and SD carriages

Te Huia uses two consists of four refurbished SA and SD carriages, each with capacity for 147 commuters and a café car. The refurbished (by Hutt Workshops) former Auckland Transport SA and SD cars (ten SA and three SD, which became redundant in 2015) have been refitted into KiwiRail SR class.[54]

The two consists have two SR, one SRC and one SRV carriages; with an overall capacity of 300 passengers each way daily. This could increase to two five-carriage consists with a capacity of 400 passengers each way daily.

The three carriage designs are:

  • SR carriage: 50 seats & WC
  • SRC carriage: 20 seats & facilities (servery) & accessible (wheel-chair) WC.
  • SRV driving carriage: 28 seats & 10 flip-up seats, facility for cycles, generator room, staff office. Driving carriage for use for push/pull operations.

Te Huia sets as delivered from Hutt workshops:

  • 1st set: SRV5893, SR5847, SR6061 & SRC5889
  • 2nd set: SRV5993, SR3285, SR5801 & SRC3436
  • 3rd set: SRV5859, SR5746, SR6015 & SRC5994

The carriages retain the modern metro-style doors from their former Auckland Transport SA and SD class days, which are easier for wheelchair users and cyclists to use, so do not have the wide windows as fitted to the Wairarapa Connection carriages which have traditional “quarter” doors (this slightly reduces the number of seats, but the cost of door conversion was prohibitive). Carriages are painted with a livery consisting largely of gloss grey, with a depiction of the extinct huia bird.

The service uses overhauled DF locomotives (two operating and one spare). The empty trains run to Otahuhu railway station and the Westfield marshalling yard during the day, and will be serviced at a carriage depot at the Rotokauri railway station (Te Rapa) at night.

Future

[edit]

Upgrades are being built and several proposals made for further improvements.

ATAP, Auckland's 2018–2028 plan provided for Pukekohe electrification, a third line from Westfield to Wiri and further new electric trains,[55] part of up to $205m a year proposed by government for "transitional rail" spending,[56] which allowed for the possibility of a Hamilton service.[57]

In 2019, the New Zealand government approved a review into upgrading the rail line to accommodate a maximum speed of 160 km/h, which would halve the journey times between Auckland and Hamilton.[58][59] Also in 2019, a group made up of local councils and the Ministry of Transport issued a 'Shared Statement of Spatial Intent'. It envisages that suburban electric services may extend to Pokeno within 10 years and that, beyond that, the whole route would be electrified and faster alignments be created via the Bombay Hills, around the Whangamarino wetland and east of Huntly. It also suggests a spur to Hamilton Airport.[60]

On opening day in 2021, Waikato Regional Council chair, Russ Rimmington said, "Te Huia is only the start of big things, as opportunities are investigated to expand the service and make it faster.”[61] Around $98 million is being spent by national and regional government, over 5 years, to collect data and help with planning the next steps.[62] However, criticism has been made of the slow journey and paucity of intermediate stops.[63] An indicative timetable published in 2018 showed 1h 26m,[64] but the 2021 timetable allowed 1h 39m;[44] the first train arrived 4 minutes early at Papakura, yet a car, leaving Hamilton at the same time, arrived at Britomart 35 minutes earlier than the train connection.[65] The only competing public transport service is by InterCity bus.[66] Bus schedules vary between 1h 35m and 2h 30m.[67] The 2023 Te Huia timetable shows 2h 40m.[68] Car travel can be as little as 1h 20m, though, due to congestion, 15% of peak hour car journeys exceed 2h 50m.[69]

An interim business case released by the minister in August 2020 said that "Rapid Rail" could cost between $2.2 billion and $14.4 billion, and said there was a strong case for further investigation. Electrifying the present rail corridor would cost an estimated $2.157 billion with additional operating costs of $725 million, having trains travelling at up to 110 km/h (68 mph) with a travel time between the two centres of 1h 53m. A new standard gauge corridor would cost $14.425 billion; having trains travelling at 250 km/h (160 mph) and taking 69 minutes.

In 2020 the Ministry of Transport noted that slow and unreliable travel between Hamilton and Auckland is, "limiting the opportunity to strengthen economic integration and productivity of the two metropolitan areas. This is evident in: Long and unpredictable travel times due to worsening traffic congestion; Lower than expected demand between Hamilton and Auckland cities due to unpredictable travel times". The Ministry predicts car travel times north of the Bombay Hills will be about 10% slower by 2048, despite motorway widening. The Ministry also found that car dependency put a disproportionate cost on the poor and hampers efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and accidents. It concluded that inter-city rail is the only option able to make improvements to all of these.[69] Therefore in July 2020 the Ministry was instructed to develop the next stages for train travel in greater detail,[70] including a possible extension of Hamilton to Auckland rapid rail to Tauranga.[71]

The Ministry suggested that improvements could be made to cut the Hamilton-Auckland journey to 1h 7m, but estimated initially a 1h 22m train journey between Hamilton and Papakura and 32m for an express journey from there to Britomart.[70] There were two intermediate options, with trains travelling at 160 km/h (99 mph) and taking 1h 28m, or at 110 km/h (68 mph) in 1h 41m. Previous options included "Tilt Trains". All four options include a new underground rail station in the Hamilton CBD[72] and all allow 32 minutes for the 35 km (22 mi) between Papakura and Britomart.[69]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Te Huia FAQs – On board". Waikato Regional Council. 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Slow train coming: Auckland to Hamilton train service unlikely before February". Stuff (Fairfax). 27 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  4. ^ "New launch date for Hamilton-Auckland commuter rail service announced". Stuff/Fairfax. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Draft Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024/25–2033/34 2" (PDF). 4 March 2024. p. 29.
  6. ^ "Te Manatū Waka | Draft Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024/25-2033/34 1" (PDF). 17 August 2023. p. 48.
  7. ^ "Rail Working Party Interim Recommendation Report on Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Service" (PDF). Environment Waikato. January 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  8. ^ LEAMAN, AARON (11 May 2011). "Strand rail link 'best'". Waikato Times. Hamilton: Fairfax New Zealand. Archived from the original on 12 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  9. ^ "Council Decision on Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Proposal" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 10 November 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Tuakau rail service gets shunted". Stuff. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Bridges backs commuter rail". Stuff. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Regional council committee supports fresh look at commuter rail". Waikato Regional Council. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Agenda for a meeting of the Infrastructure Committee – 5.9 Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail – Progress Update and Future Direction" (PDF). Waikato District Council. 27 June 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Inclusion of an Interim Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Service in the 2018 -2028 Long Term Plan" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2018.
  15. ^ "North Waikato Public Transport Network Review Implementation" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Agenda for a meeting of the Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday 28 November 2017" (PDF). Waikato District Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Commuter rail from Auckland to Hamilton". Stuff (Fairfax). 21 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Commuter rail from Auckland to Hamilton, Tauranga for $20 million". Stuff (Fairfax). 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Advocates put pressure on for a better rail service". Stuff (Fairfax). 11 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Labour MP Jamie Strange confident Hamilton-Auckland commuter train cash coming". Stuff (Fairfax). 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Late Transport Papers S-P" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 7 August 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Shortlist of names released for Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service". Stuff/Fairfax. 2 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Tron Express launch date pushed back". Hamilton News. 31 May 2019. p. 4. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  24. ^ "New commuter rail service gets a name Te Huia to fly between- Hamilton and Auckland". Stuff/Fairfax. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  25. ^ "Proposed Name for the Hamilton to Auckland Start-Up Passenger Rail Service and its Cultural Rationale" (PDF). Waikato District Council. 10 February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Funding shortfall threatens Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service". Stuff/Fairfax. 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Hamilton to Auckland Start-Up Passenger Rail Service" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. November 2018. p. 69. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Hamilton-Auckland Commuter Trains" in The New Zealand Railway Observer August–September 2019 No 349 pages 127–128 (Vol 76 No 3)
  29. ^ "Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service hits a bogie". Stuff/Fairfax. 1 June 2019. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  30. ^ "Coronavirus delays start date for Hamilton to Auckland passenger train". Stuff/Fairfax. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Hamilton-Auckland commuter train tipped to start in November". Stuff. 19 May 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Auckland Metro: Track replacement work". KiwiRail. 2020.
  33. ^ "Date set for start of Hamilton to Auckland commuter train service". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service takes another step closer". Stuff (Fairfax). 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  35. ^ "Hamilton-Auckland service". Kiwirail. 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  36. ^ "Te Huia Timetables". Waikato Regional Council. 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  37. ^ a b c "Fares". www.tehuiatrain.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Hamilton-Auckland train service Te Huia to go downtown every Saturday". Stuff. 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Fares". www.tehuiatrain.co.nz. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Te Huia Patronage Data" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Slow start for passenger numbers on new Hamilton to Auckland train's first week". Stuff. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  42. ^ "'Standing room only': Te Huia 'jam-packed' on first Saturday service, would-be passengers left behind". Newshub. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  43. ^ "Regional Transport Committee Agenda Package" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 14 June 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Te Huia Timetables". Waikato Regional Council. 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  45. ^ "Regional Connections Committee Agenda" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 4 April 2022.
  46. ^ "Regional Transport Committee minutes" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 13 March 2023.
  47. ^ "Future of the service". www.tehuiatrain.co.nz. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Record numbers of passengers on train". Stuff/Fairfax. 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  49. ^ "Waka Kotahi temporarily bans Te Huia train from operating in Auckland". RNZ. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  50. ^ "cCouncil could push Kiwirail for- Te Huia compo". Stuff/Fairfax. 2023.
  51. ^ Back on track: Te Huia train service celebrates return with free travel | Newshub, retrieved 8 November 2023
  52. ^ "Council Agenda". core.opentext.eu. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  53. ^ "NZTA to reduce Te Huia train funding". Newstalk ZB. 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  54. ^ "Hamilton – Auckland (project timetable)". KiwiRail. 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  55. ^ "Auckland Transport Alignment Project" (PDF). Auckland Council. April 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  56. ^ "Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018/19–2027/28" (PDF). March 2018.
  57. ^ "Regional Rapid Rail – Hamilton Central Station – Greater Auckland". Greater Auckland. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  58. ^ "Auckland – Hamilton commuter service funding approved". International Railway Journal. 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  59. ^ "Government investigates rapid rail between Hamilton and Auckland". Stuff/Fairfax. 13 March 2020.
  60. ^ "A summary of shared spatial intent for the Hamilton- Auckland [H2A] Corridor" (PDF). Waikato District Council. February 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  61. ^ "Waikato enters historic new era in public transport". waikatoregion.govt.nz. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  62. ^ "Te Huia passenger train takes flight". www.nzta.govt.nz. 7 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  63. ^ "Waikato council boss 'stunned' by comments new Te Huia train is 'worst of both worlds'". Stuff. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  64. ^ "Hamilton to Auckland Start-Up Passenger Rail Service" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. November 2018. p. 69. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  65. ^ "The race to Auckland – can a car beat the new Te Huia train?". Stuff. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  66. ^ "How to travel from Hamilton to Auckland, New Zealand". arvo.travel. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  67. ^ "Book Bus Tickets Online | InterCity". www.intercity.co.nz. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  68. ^ "Timetable". www.tehuiatrain.co.nz. March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  69. ^ a b c "Hamilton to Auckland Intercity Connectivity" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 7 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  70. ^ a b "Investing in Rapid Rail in the Hamilton to Auckland Corridor" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 29 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  71. ^ "Te Tūhono ā-Tāone i Waenga i Tāmaki me Kirikiriroa | Hamilton-Auckland Intercity Connectivity". Ministry of Transport. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  72. ^ "Multibillion-dollar cost of Hamilton to Auckland Rapid Rail service revealed". Stuff (Fairfax). 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
[edit]