Waikato Connection
{{For|the current service|Te Huia}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{italic title}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width =
| name = Waikato Connection
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image =
| image_width =
| caption =
| type = Inter-city
| status = Terminated
| locale = Waikato, New Zealand
| predecessor =
| first = 26 June 2000
| last = 7 October 2001
| successor =
| operator =
| formeroperator= Tranz Scenic
| ridership =
| start = Hamilton
| stops = 5
| end = Auckland
| distance = {{convert|134.75|km|mi}}
| journeytime = 124 minutes
| frequency = Daily return
| trainnumber =
| class =
| access =
| seating =
| sleeping =
| autorack =
| catering =
| observation =
| entertainment=
| baggage =
| otherfacilities=
| stock = NZR RM class (Silver Fern)
| gauge = {{RailGauge|3ft6in|lk=on}}
| el =
| speed =
| owners =
| routenumber =
| map =
{{routemap|inline=1|map=
exKBHFa~~0.00 km~~Hamilton
exBHF~~31.47 km~~Huntly
exBHF~~86.47 km~~Pukekohe
exBHF~~104.63 km~~Papakura
exHST~~119.89 km~~Middlemore
exBHF~~132.25 km~~Newmarket
exKBHFe~~134.75 km~~Auckland
}}
| map_state =
}}
The Waikato Connection was a short-lived express passenger train between Hamilton and Auckland in New Zealand's North Island. It consisted of a weekday single return service using diesel multiple unit railcars.
Like its southern counterpart, the Capital Connection between Palmerston North and Wellington, the service was operated by Tranz Scenic and run as a commercial venture.{{cite conference |url=http://www.ew.govt.nz/PageFiles/2322/HARTS_Stage4_Report_Rail.pdf |title=Preliminary Feasibility Study into Passenger Rail Services in the Hamilton Area |first=Ross |last=Rutherford |date= August 2005 |conference=Hamilton Alternatives to Roading Transportation Study |book-title=Environment Waikato and Hamilton City Council |publisher=Transport Planning Solutions |page=15 }}
The service was restored in 2021 for a five-year trial as "Te Huia".
History
= Operation =
The service commenced as a six-month trial{{cite conference |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0010/S00085/speech-by-bob-wheeler-chairman-tranz-railto-agm.htm |title=Chairman's Address to Shareholders, 2000 Annual Meeting |last1=Wheeler |first1=Bob |date=11 October 2000 |publisher=Tranz Rail Holdings |location=Wellington }} on Thursday 26 June 2000 and was primarily aimed at business people who regularly commuted to work in Auckland.{{cite press release |title=Mayor disappointed Waikato Connection axed |publisher=Hamilton City Council |date=27 June 2001 |url=http://hamilton.co.nz/news/pageid/2145831970 |accessdate=20 October 2010 }} It used Silver Fern railcars with full onboard catering and stopped at the intermediate stations of Huntly, Pukekohe, Papakura, Middlemore, and Newmarket.
Four months into the trial the service was reported to be "performing up to expectations" and was later extended beyond the trial period.
= Demise =
Tranz Rail announced in October 2000 that it intended to exit the passenger rail business to concentrate on its freight interests.{{cite news |title=Regional rail services disappear |first=Jo-MARIE |last=BROWN |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=220846 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN Holdings NZ |date=6 October 2001 |accessdate=21 October 2010 }} The new owner of Tranz Scenic, two directors of West Coast Railway in Australia, had limited purchase funds, and so were only prepared to purchase the most profitable services, prompting Tranz Rail to terminate those services that were not purchased, including the Waikato Connection.{{cite news |title=Environment Waikato tries to save rail link |first=CATHY |last=ARONSON |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=199819 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN Holdings NZ |date=13 July 2001 |accessdate=21 October 2010 }} It was officially cancelled on Sunday 7 October 2001 along with the Geyserland Express, the Kaimai Express, and the Bay Express. A replacement Tranz Metro service between Auckland and Pukekohe commenced the following day.{{cite news |title=Pukekohe gets new rail link |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=220922 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN Holdings NZ |date=7 October 2001 |accessdate=21 October 2010 }}
Efforts were made to save the service prior to its cancellation, including an investigation made by Environment Waikato into the possibility of subsidising it. The council, which at the time had a policy of not subsidising rail services, decided against providing funding at $400,000 pa,{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/PageFiles/18093/1909399Interim_Recommendation_Report.pdf|title=Rail Working Party Interim Recommendation Report on Hamilton to Auckland Passenger Rail Service|date=January 2011|website=Environment Waikato}} which was deemed to be too expensive. An approach was also made to the government for funding, especially in light of the subsidy that they had extended for the Southerner,{{cite press release |title=Regional Council to meet on Waikato rail connection |publisher=Environment Waikato |date=24 August 2001 |url=http://www.ew.govt.nz/News-and-events/Media-releases-archived/Regional-Council-to-meet-on-Waikato-rail-connection-/ |accessdate=21 October 2010 }} but this was also declined. Tranz Scenic reported that the Waikato Connection was "the most unprofitable service" but that they would be prepared to consider retaining it with community support which they expected would be needed for about three years.
At the time of its cancellation the Waikato Connection was being patronised by an average of 129 passengers per trip, most of whom boarded at Pukekohe or Papakura,{{cite news |title=Drive on for Waikato rail link to Britomart |first=Mathew |last=Dearnaley |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-overlander/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501099&objectid=10400871 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN Holdings NZ |date=12 September 2006 |accessdate=21 October 2010 }} with only about 30 of those travelling the full distance between Hamilton and Auckland. Some considered the cancellation premature as the service was beginning to grow in popularity.{{cite web|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/69873064/setback-in-hamiltonauckland-commuter-train-dream-greens-say |title= Setback in Hamilton-Auckland commuter train dream, Greens say |publisher=Stuff (Fairfax Media) |date=1 July 2015}}
Predecessor
A refurbished NZR RM class (88 seater) nicknamed the Blue Streak was used for a trial Hamilton–Auckland service from 8 April 1968, which was discontinued for lack of patronage.
Reintroduction
The service was reintroduced on 6 April 2021 as Te Huia, running between The Strand in Auckland and Hamilton.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/first-peek-new-hamilton-auckland-train Images of coaches being refurbished at Hutt workshops in 2019]
{{NZR Passenger}}
Category:Long-distance passenger trains in New Zealand
Category:Rail transport in Auckland
Category:Rail transport in Waikato
Category:Railway services introduced in 2000
Category:Railway services discontinued in 2001
Category:2000 establishments in New Zealand