Waikato Connection
Overview
Service typeInter-city
StatusTerminated
LocaleWaikato, New Zealand
First service26 June 2000
Last service7 October 2001
Former operator(s)Tranz Scenic
Route
TerminiHamilton
Auckland
Stops5
Distance travelled134.75 kilometres (83.73 mi)
Average journey time124 minutes
Service frequencyDaily return
Technical
Rolling stockNZR RM class (Silver Fern)
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Route map
0.00 km
 Hamilton
31.47
 Huntly
86.47
 Pukekohe
104.63
 Papakura
119.89
 Middlemore
132.25
 Newmarket
134.75 km
 Auckland

The Waikato Connection was a short-lived express passenger train between Hamilton and Auckland in New Zealand's North Island. It consisted of a weekday single return service using diesel multiple unit railcars.

Like its southern counterpart, the Capital Connection between Palmerston North and Wellington, the service was operated by Tranz Scenic and run as a commercial venture.[1]

The service was restored in 2021 for a five-year trial as "Te Huia".

History

Operation

The service commenced as a six-month trial[2] on 26 June 2000 and was primarily aimed at business people who regularly commuted to work in Auckland.[3] It used Silver Fern railcars with full onboard catering and stopped at the intermediate stations of Huntly, Pukekohe, Papakura, Middlemore, and Newmarket.[1]

Four months into the trial the service was reported to be "performing up to expectations"[2] and was later extended beyond the trial period.

Demise

Tranz Rail announced in October 2000 that it intended to exit the passenger rail business to concentrate on its freight interests.[4] The new owner of Tranz Scenic, two directors of West Coast Railway in Australia, had limited purchase funds, and so were only prepared to purchase the most profitable services, prompting Tranz Rail to terminate those services that were not purchased, including the Waikato Connection.[5] It was officially cancelled on 7 October 2001 along with the Geyserland Express, the Kaimai Express, and the Bay Express. A replacement Tranz Metro service between Auckland and Pukekohe commenced the following day.[6]

Efforts were made to save the service prior to its cancellation, including an investigation made by Environment Waikato into the possibility of subsidising it. The Council, which at the time had a policy of not subsidising rail services,[5] decided against providing funding at $400,000 pa,[7] which was deemed to be too expensive. An approach was also made to the government for funding, especially in light of the subsidy that they had extended for the Southerner,[8] but this was also declined.[4] Tranz Scenic reported that the Waikato Connection was "the most unprofitable service" but that they would be prepared to consider retaining it with community support which they expected would be needed for about three years.[5]

At the time of its cancellation the Waikato Connection was being patronised by an average of 129 passengers per trip, most of whom boarded at Pukekohe or Papakura,[9] with only about 30 of those travelling the full distance between Hamilton and Auckland.[1] Some considered the cancellation premature as the service was beginning to grow in popularity.[3][5][10]

Predecessor

A refurbished NZR RM class (88 seater) nicknamed the Blue Streak was used for a trial Hamilton–Auckland service from 8 April 1968, which was discontinued for lack of patronage.

Reintroduction

The service was reintroduced on 6 April 2021 as Te Huia, running between The Strand in Auckland and Hamilton.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rutherford, Ross (August 2005). "Preliminary Feasibility Study into Passenger Rail Services in the Hamilton Area" (PDF). Environment Waikato and Hamilton City Council. Hamilton Alternatives to Roading Transportation Study. Transport Planning Solutions. p. 15.
  2. 1 2 Wheeler, Bob (11 October 2000). Chairman's Address to Shareholders, 2000 Annual Meeting. Wellington: Tranz Rail Holdings.
  3. 1 2 "Mayor disappointed Waikato Connection axed" (Press release). Hamilton City Council. 27 June 2001. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  4. 1 2 BROWN, Jo-MARIE (6 October 2001). "Regional rail services disappear". The New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings NZ. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "Rail Working Party Interim Recommendation Report on Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Service" (PDF). Environment Waikato. January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Regional Council to meet on Waikato rail connection" (Press release). Environment Waikato. 24 August 2001. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "Setback in Hamilton-Auckland commuter train dream, Greens say". Stuff (Fairfax Media). 1 July 2015.
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