Hamilton Central Station (underground) CBD

[eurokiwi78]

I'm just keen to see if the Hamilton v8 race will soon include electric cars to better reflect what everybody in David bennets electorate wants to get around with.

[QuintinH]

I know this may be a bit visionary for the current politicians in the Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions. But I would like to see solid steps taken towards a regional rail transport network that links up Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua with modern diesel rail cars. I can see this network being used both as a commuter system for those working in the main centres as well as a general transport in preference to private car and bus. Obviously the first step is to re-establish the Hamilton to Auckland Commuter service. I applaud those putting in the work to get this off the ground again.

I see the success of the Victorian Regional rail system that links up communities 2 – 3 hours away from Melbourne and using rail they provide 3 or 4 services per day. The new VLocity diesel units they are using look ideal for a Waikato regional service and I think plans for a Waikato regional service should eventually acquire new units like the VLocity trains. I know there are gauge differences and platform height differences but I think the most important change you would need to make is to paint the units Red, Black and Gold and have a Waikato River Taniwha painted down the side.

Looking to the future 10-15 years I would like to see the following services in operation.

Overlander: Auckland – Hamilton - Wellington
Waikato Express: Auckland – Hamilton
Bay Express: Auckland – Tauranga (via Red Line)
Geyser Express: Auckland – Rotorua (via Red Line)
Red Line: Huntly – Ngaruawahia - Te Rapa (The Base) – Frankton – Hamilton CBD – Claudelands – Ruakura (University) – Morrinsville
Gold Line: Te Awamutu – Ohaupo – Melville - Frankton – Hamilton CBD – Claudelands – Ruakura (University) – Cambridge

With this number of services the Hamilton CBD underground station would become a fairly busy place.

[deathtoluke]

Nice idea Quintin H. However the most drastic area of growth in Hamilton is in the North East of Hamilton. If you could get light rail from the NIMT near The Base at Te Rapa to travel east across the river to Horsham Downs/Rototuna or from there down to the ECMT at Ruakura. Pipe dreams? Sure. It's a lot of track to lay but that's where the main population and traffic issues stem from in Hamilton. I think any consideration into Hamilton light rail has to take this on in the future.
However there are always ferries?

[eurokiwi78]

River ferrys would be cool. Whatever happened to that paddleboat? That would have given the springboks something to do.

[royce]

I know this may be a bit visionary for the current politicians in the Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions. But I would like to see solid steps taken towards a regional rail transport network that links up Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua with modern diesel rail cars. I can see this network being used both as a commuter system for those working in the main centres as well as a general transport in preference to private car and bus. Obviously the first step is to re-establish the Hamilton to Auckland Commuter service. I applaud those putting in the work to get this off the ground again.

I had a similar idea but you have put it much more elegantly. I like the idea of the red line and the gold line and the concept of mixed commuter, intercity trains. But watch out for Kaiwhara he will be coming along any time now to tell you it cant be done.

[Nick R]

How much of the Cambridge like is intact?

[geoff_184]

As far as Hautapu is intact and in use. Hautapu to Cambridge is closed and lifted.

[QuintinH]

Hi deathtoluke

I know Hamilton really well as its my home town and I was a planner there for a while. Although I am a massive fan of rail I have to conceed that in the short term light rail in the city is very unlikley. The type of regional rail network i described above, with a few city stops is probably the best that we can shoot for in the short term.
But imporved bus services to Rototuna, Rotokauri and the the new peacoks subdivions should be high on the agenda, especially with the real growth that is occuring there. Hamilton is projected to increase in population by about 50,000 in 30 years and at the moment these subdivions will be taking most of that growth. Bus priority at lights and along the main arterials plus modern confortable buses and I think a lot of residents will get out of thier cars. Of course the other factor is that lots of workers go to te Rapa or frankton for work and the buses are currently on a spoke system, maybe a couple of extra circular routes would help patronage. But then this post is sliding off the topic of the underground station and heading more towards PT strategy for Hamilton so I will stop here.

[QuintinH]

maybe Geoff might know this one.

The Claudelands bridge in hamiltron has the rail below the road, is it single or double track? I think its single track, do you know if there is capacity on the bridge to double track or is that another major project that would need to be undertaken with a CBD station upgrade?

[eurokiwi78]

single track.

The only way to double it would be another bridge and associated earthworks. The cutting under the CBD is also far to narrow for two tracks.

[QuintinH]

OK,
so that means once regional services are proven to be succesful the only way to increase capacity will be an additional line. Perhaps a cut and cover tunnel down Bryce street will be in the long term plans.

[keg]

But imporved bus services to Rototuna, Rotokauri and the the new peacoks subdivions should be high on the agenda, especially with the real growth that is occuring there. Hamilton is projected to increase in population by about 50,000 in 30 years and at the moment these subdivions will be taking most of that growth. Bus priority at lights and along the main arterials plus modern confortable buses and I think a lot of residents will get out of thier cars. Of course the other factor is that lots of workers go to te Rapa or frankton for work and the buses are currently on a spoke system, maybe a couple of extra circular routes would help patronage. But then this post is sliding off the topic of the underground station and heading more towards PT strategy for Hamilton so I will stop here.

Excellent!

As this is going off topic, I'll continue in the Hamilton and Waikato PT thread.

[ka9102]

A light rail system for Hamilton,what for? Whats the population there? The buses are almost empty during off peaks times what makes you think the Light rail can be a success? and the owner and operators of the light rail? city council? Dream on.....

But if a decent system was built don't you think patronage could become popular?

A decent system does not have to be light rail,an imporved bus or heavy rail infrastructure could also be considered as a decent system.

Hamilton just do not have enough population to warrant the light rail system a sucess.

[Daniel]

A light rail system for Hamilton,what for? Whats the population there? The buses are almost empty during off peaks times what makes you think the Light rail can be a success? and the owner and operators of the light rail? city council? Dream on.....

But if a decent system was built don't you think patronage could become popular?

A decent system does not have to be light rail,an imporved bus or heavy rail infrastructure could also be considered as a decent system.

Hamilton just do not have enough population to warrant the light rail system a sucess.

There are cities with populations smallr than Hamilton with successful light rail systems. Examples: Norrkopping.

[ka9102]

There are cities with populations smallr than Hamilton with successful light rail systems. Examples: Norrkopping.

I reiterate again,every country has different situations,It does not matter what oversea countries have,its totally irrelevant to us,we need to find a solution that may suit NZ best.

At moment Light rail is not an option,they are extremely expensive we can not afford to waste money on something that can not even be assured!!There aren't enough evidences to assure the success of hamilton light rail.

Daniel,you'd better stop spreading your little idea of having light rails in every NZ city.That's a ludicrous fantasy.

I'd suggest you go back to secondary school to learn some basic sociology this is an "Adult site" so may not be suitable for ur kiddies

[Jonthekiwi]

Hey KA9102,

I would say that with your type of thinking is exactly why NZ is so behind in rail and light rail. READ REALLY FAR BEHIND!

Somehow you have the typical kiwi mantra of what works overseas won't work here. You have no solid reasons why, as there are compeling reasons why it would work. Why should we accept spending billions of roads with dubious benefits, yet not spend on light rail or heavy rail infrastructure, which in every city which uses it in NZ has been a HUGE success? Read HUGE SUCCESS!

Hamilton has the right sized population, and having studied it before making a presention to Environment Waikato I can tell you it is perfectly ripe for light rail and a mixture of heavy rail. You arguements simply are irrational and don't stand up, what so ever.

PS .. can you go and live overseas for a few years? It really helps.

[Daniel]

I reiterate again,every country has different situations,It does not matter what oversea countries have,its totally irrelevant to us,we need to find a solution that may suit NZ best.

And I have never disagreed with with this, just your justification on population size alone. To say that Hamilton does not have the population size can be disproven with my example.
Now I've debunked this point you could divulge or elaborate further on how Hamilton still remains too small... in your opinion.

At moment Light rail is not an option,they are extremely expensive we can not afford to waste money on something that can not even be assured!!There aren't enough evidences to assure the success of hamilton light rail.

Yeah... according to you. Now, if youre going to make this statement and expect people to take it seriously you should back it up further.

Daniel,you'd better stop spreading your little idea of having light rails in every NZ city.That's a ludicrous fantasy.

Okay. I'm not quite sure how you came to this conclusion. I've only advocated it for two cities, and I'm not even advocating it for Hamilton, just trying to hear both sides of the story. I've got no desire to see light rail in... for example Christchurch. Could it be the reaction of someone feeling under threat? or someone whose feeling their job driving buses might be under threat.

I'd suggest you go back to secondary school to learn some basic sociology this is an "Adult site" so may not be suitable for ur kiddies

Well first of all Sociology has never been in any nations secondary school curriculum, if you didn't drop out after 5th form you might know that. And if you'd stay on the University you might appreciate an analysis along the lines of the science sociology would have nothing to back up your opinion. Perhaps you could have learnt some proper grammar too.

[ka9102]

Hey KA9102,

I would say that with your type of thinking is exactly why NZ is so behind in rail and light rail. READ REALLY FAR BEHIND!

Somehow you have the typical kiwi mantra of what works overseas won't work here. You have no solid reasons why, as there are compeling reasons why it would work. Why should we accept spending billions of roads with dubious benefits, yet not spend on light rail or heavy rail infrastructure, which in every city which uses it in NZ has been a HUGE success? Read HUGE SUCCESS!

Hamilton has the right sized population, and having studied it before making a presention to Environment Waikato I can tell you it is perfectly rip for light rail and a mixture of heavy rail. You arguements simply are irrational and don't stand up, what so ever.

PS .. can you go and live overseas for a few years? It really helps.

I am curious why you'd care hamilton so much,presumbly you reside there? Ok,that might explain why your so anxious to have the rails system built up there, its actually campaigning for a better life for yourself.

Why what works overseas wont work here? you can bring this question to the monkeys at the paliment and see what they can answer.


your type of thinking is exactly why NZ is so behind in rail and light rail. No
can you go and live overseas for a few years? yes, I spent most of my uni lives in overseas.

[ka9102]

I reiterate again,every country has different situations,It does not matter what oversea countries have,its totally irrelevant to us,we need to find a solution that may suit NZ best.

And I have never disagreed with with this, just your justification on population size alone. To say that Hamilton does not have the population size can be disproven with my example.
Now I've debunked this point you could divulge or elaborate further on how Hamilton still remains too small... in your opinion.

At moment Light rail is not an option,they are extremely expensive we can not afford to waste money on something that can not even be assured!!There aren't enough evidences to assure the success of hamilton light rail.

Yeah... according to you. Now, if youre going to make this statement and expect people to take it seriously you should back it up further.

Daniel,you'd better stop spreading your little idea of having light rails in every NZ city.That's a ludicrous fantasy.

Okay. I'm not quite sure how you came to this conclusion. I've only advocated it for two cities, and I'm not even advocating it for Hamilton, just trying to hear both sides of the story. I've got no desire to see light rail in... for example Christchurch. Could it be the reaction of someone feeling under threat? or someone whose feeling their job driving buses might be under threat.

I'd suggest you go back to secondary school to learn some basic sociology this is an "Adult site" so may not be suitable for ur kiddies

Well first of all Sociology has never been in any nations secondary school curriculum, if you didn't drop out after 5th form you might know that. And if you'd stay on the University you might appreciate an analysis along the lines of the science sociology would have nothing to back up your opinion. Perhaps you could have learnt some proper grammar too.

dont know that this is what we called-------spam

[Daniel]

dont know that this is what we called-------spam

That sentence doesn't make grammatical sense.