Waikato Connection - Potential Reintroduction

Potential Reintroduction

After the June 2006 announcement of the Overlander's cancellation, there were proposals to re-instate the Waikato Connection, including from Dave Macpherson, Hamilton City Council's Passenger Transport Committee chairman. The Overlander's cancellation was subsequently rescinded, eliminating the possibility of using its rolling stock on a new Waikato Connection, but other proposals have remained due to increasing vehicular traffic volumes straining road capacity. These proposals include using the Silver Ferns as in the original Waikato Connection, though they were at the time under contract for suburban commuter trains between Auckland and Pukekohe. The most recent proposal from the Rail Working Group recommends the use of Silver Fern railcars operating a service between Hamilton and Auckland Railway Station, possibly also with a shuttle service at the Auckland terminus to points around the Auckland CBD. This proposal addresses cost concerns raised by the affected local government organisations by making use of existing rolling stock and infrastructure where possible and avoiding use of the Britomart Transport Centre which, because of capacity constraints, is not available for peak-time arrivals and departures of such a service.

The primary difficulties facing the proposal are lack of rolling stock, lack of a commercially viable business case (requiring support from local and central government for subsidies) and train paths through the Auckland suburban area into the Britomart Transport Centre. The proposal was dropped on a 2011 report in favour of extension only from Pukekohe to Tuakau.