REGIONAL RAPID RAIL Thank You To begin thank

REGIONAL RAPID RAIL

Thank You To begin thank you for • Allowing Regional Rapid Rail to be presented to you today • For including the potential for passenger services between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga in the draft Auckland Plan pages 158 - 159 • For your continuous engagement/advocacy with central government in the investment in Auckland’s rail network

Context

Context Auckland – Hamilton –Tauranga: The Golden Triangle • Half of NZ population/More than half of NZ economy • Housing Crisis • 70% of NZ Growth from now to 2046

Goals

Goals • Not just fast trains: • Enabler of a regional development strategy for the Upper North Island • Further integrate the economies of the Golden Triangle • Leverage value from existing infrastructure • Avoid loading new commuter traffic onto the state highway network • Allow local councils to consider other development patterns and ease rates pressure • Support tourism, retail, regional events and sports

Proposal

Proposal A proposal to deliver higher speed rail to the Upper North Island • Stage 1: Pre CRL Service while Stage 2 being planned and delivered • Stage 2: Investment in new fast trains and supporting infrastructure post CRL • Stage 3: Expansion of the network and improving performance for the future

Stage 1

Stage 1: Concept • Ability to deliver Pre-CRL • Cheap ‘start up’ using existing trains in NZ and using existing tracks while Stage 2 being planned and delivered • Third track between Westfield – Wiri preferable • Potentially could look at procuring second hand diesel intercity trains or Stage 2 trains early • Build ridership and awareness until Stage 2 • Cannot be trial, has to be at least commitment to implement Stage 2

Stage 1: Routes and performance • Hamilton to Auckland: 2 hours 15 mins • Auckland to Tauranga: 3 hours 25 minutes • Includes transfer at Otahuhu to downtown Auckland • New Network principles with “Allday”, seven day a week service not commuter only focus • Marginal cost of adding interpeak and off-peak services low

Why All Day Seven Days a Week

Stage 2

Stage 2: Concept Invest in new higher-speed tilting trains and supporting track upgrades to achieve the maximum utilisation of the existing upper North Island rail network for intercity passenger services.

Stage 2: fleet and network • New purpose built fast intercity train fleet • • 160 km/h tilting trains Dual mode electric and diesel “business class” interiors, café and bar service, wifi etc. 300 seaters • Network wide track upgrades for higher speed • Upgraded stations

Stage 2: Routes and performance • Auckland to Hamilton: 1 hour 30 minutes • Auckland to Tauranga: 2 hours 30 minutes • Auckland to Te Kuiti: 2 hours 15 minutes • Britomart and new Central Hamilton Station • Hourly per line, half-hourly Hamilton to Auckland, more at peak • All-day seven days a week • $400 m capital cost

Stage 3

Stage 3: Concept Further improve journey times, improve service levels, and extend the reach of the network to new towns and cities to fully integrate the economy of the Upper North Island.

Stage 3: Routes and performance • Four main lines : • • Waikato (Cambridge) Bay of Plenty (Te Puke) Geyserland (Rotorua) King Country (Te Kuiti) • Reconstruct former branch lines to Cambridge and Rotorua as well as extend to Te Puke • More trains and better signalling • Hourly all day each, half-hourly at peak = every 15 mins Hamilton to Auckland. • Auckland to Hamilton: 1 hour 13 minutes • Auckland to Tauranga: 2 hours 5 minutes

Benefits for Auckland • Takes pressure off housing crisis allowing more feasible development in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty • Trains to the Planes: Auckland Airport becomes multiregional Airport • Creates express service to/from Puhinui Interchange allowing quick access for to Airport • Improves the case for upgrades to the rail network Auckland already wants in ATAP • Gives Auckland employers access to wider labour pool and Aucklanders access to more opportunities whether work, study or play

Next Steps for Auckland • Give public support removing major historical obstacle to intercity rail and giving Waikato Councils confidence to proceed • Ensure planned station upgrades such as Britomart, Otahuhu, and Puhinui are suitable for future Regional Rapid Rail • Work with the entity delivering Regional Rapid Rail to allow integrated fares with HOP • Contribute where agreed with central government for the funding/delivery of ATAP’s rail upgrades • Make Puhinui Interchange a priority investment

Questions?