Kia ora KiwiRail,
There is a proposal for a passenger train to run shuttles from Huapai to Swanson to serve the 20,000 people of Huapai and the surrounding area. These people are currently not served by any form of adequate public transport with all projects for improvement projected to be about a decade away.
They are left, therefore, to commute on a two lane road that carries 16.000 more vehicles per day than the Waikato Expressway. The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) have managed to broker a proposal whereby a private organisation can provide the trains and the service, and another private organisation is prepared to fund it for 5 years. This innovative solution to this problem has been blocked, however, as KiwiRail state that the line is not fit for the passage of passenger trains. KiwiRail have not been explicit regarding the problems with the line, but we do know that there were concerns over the Taupaki level crossing, but this would be mitigated with a 10kph speed restriction for passenger trains as the funder is prepared to build a station at the southern side of this crossing which would render the speed restriction part of normal operations here. We are also aware that the crossing loop at Waitakere is inadequate for use by the currently used DL freight locomotives. We are also aware of the need for some ballasting north of Waitakere and Taupaki. Other than that, we are aware also of some new 50kg rail, new concrete sleepers and new ballast around this new track. We are also aware that the remainder of the line is 91lb track in good to fair condition, and that there are no issues with the Waitakere Tunnel that the trains proposed do not comply with. We have heard that there were possible culvert and/or bridge problems which are usually dealt with by speed restrictions or repairing the problem. Someone has suggested that the platforms were non-compliant, but we are also aware that that is not the case and that they are perfectly suitable for the trains intended to be used. We are not aware, however, of any specific problem that actually does preclude the use of passenger trains on this line.
Therefore, we ask that KiwiRail gives the PTUA a clear description of the specific difficulties on this section of track that prevents the use of passenger trains, with a cost structure (not gold plated) that would be needed to get trains using this line and giving a much needed service to the people in the Northwest, which helps reduce overall congestion, reduces CO2 emissions, improves road safety, reduces the commuters stress levels and reduces air particulate pollution, all of which KRL: and AT should be striving for. Further, we are asking for the cost structure so that we can campaign on KRL’s behalf to fund these repairs.
We look forward to your reply.
Nga mihi nui,
Niall Robertson,
Chair of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA)
IMPROVING THE MOVING