Airport Maxx
Our ongoing campaign to extend Auckland rail out to the airport.
Building on the recently announced plan to electrify and improve the existing rail network, spokesperson Cameron Pitches promoted the reopening of the Onehunga branch line and a rail extension to the airport in a slick presentation to both Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City Council Transport Committees on Wednesday.
"Critical mass is the key to the success of the rail network. . A high quality transit link to and from the airport will make it more successful. The airport is a major transport hub already, with over 9m air travellers per year, and employing over 8,000 people.", said Mr Pitches.
This idea has been mentioned in numerous regional tranport plans many times, but always as an option for "the future".
Promotion of the idea is timely, says Mr Pitches. Transit are currently examining options for a second Manukau Harbour crossing, and a second runway is planned for Auckland airport.
"A fast journey time between the airport and Britomart will be the key attraction for passengers.", said Mr Pitches. "The trip by rail should take under 30 minutes, at any time of the day or night, in any weather."
As a start, the disused Onehunga railway line could be reopened as far as Onehunga town centre, with extension to the airport before the second runway is finished.
"The rail link also offers scalability and extendibility.", says Mr Pitches. "Rail has a tremendous capacity advantage over road. The rail line could be extended east from the airport, so that services to Manukau and as far as Hamilton could be on offer."
Regional and City Councillors were impressed enough with the idea to call for more information on the present state of the Onehunga railway and for outline costs for its restoration.