Auckland Transport Media Release

21 March 2012

First Stage Of Manukau Station Opens Soon

The first stage of Auckland’s newest train station and the first rail line since the 1930s will open in Manukau on 15 April.

When passengers begin using the first stage of the Manukau Station development they will enter through a temporary station entrance to the completed platform areas in a rail trench below ground level.

Construction will be continuing above ground on the second stage, a $95 million integrated transport hub and tertiary campus at the Manukau city centre site next to Hayman Park.

When complete in 2013, the new station entrance will be on the ground floor of the Manukau Tertiary Centre. When this second stage opens it will have high quality facilities, including a ticket office, with easy connections between trains and buses leaving just outside the station entrance.

Auckland Transport and Auckland Council have partnered with Manukau Institute of Technology in the development. Kiwirail have built the 2km rail line from the Southern Line to Manukau city centre.

Auckland Transport, train operator Veolia Transport and Kiwirail are working together on the start of new services to Manukau.

For initial services Manukau Station will have three trains an hour in peak times and one train an hour at other times.

Buses from Botany, Flat Bush and Redoubt Rd will be extended to Manukau Station, providing a connection between buses and trains. Further bus services will be extended to the station next year, with it expected to eventually become the main bus hub for south Auckland.

In the future, about 600,000 passengers a year are expected to use the train station, a similar level to Newmarket, only Britomart will be busier. About 1.2 million people are expected to eventually use the bus station each year.

Auckland Transport Public Transport Operations Manager Mark Lambert says passengers can expect a similar standard of station to New Lynn and Newmarket when the Manukau transport hub is fully complete next year.

“What is opening soon is just the beginning of the station development and train services in preparation for the arrival of new electric trains.

“Auckland Transport, Veolia and Kiwirail have agreed on a phased introduction of rail services to Manukau. We are continuing to review with Veolia the timetable to see what improvements can be made on other parts of the rail network.”

Veolia Transport Managing Director Graham Siberry says says “Everyone is delighted to be helping add a new branch line service and we will work hard to continue to deliver an excellent rail service and grow the network It’s wonderful to see customers choosing rail in increasing numbers”

The Mayor says it is great news that trains will soon start running to Manukau city centre.

“People can also look forward to a really high quality station building opening next year as part of the Manukau Tertiary Centre.

“The Manukau Station and rail line is a classic example of the transport infrastructure that would be built from revenue generated from the Council’s Alternative Transport Funding Sources programme.

“Existing funding sources fall well short of what is required to provide the facilities and systems to move people and goods efficiently and in a co-ordinated manner by road, rail and sea in greater Auckland. At least $10-$15 billion of alternative funding is required to meet the transport needs of a rapidly growing population, estimated to be 2.5million in 2030.”

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About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:

:: To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.

:: Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel

:: Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

ENDS

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