Progress on track

Edward Rooney reports on the optimistic future for Auckland's rail commuters.
As Leo Neal gazes at the ripped-up base around the historic Remuera train station building, he is pleased with what contractors have told him.
Simply put, KiwiRail workers are separating the 105-year-old building from its tarmac bed while the platform is raised to a new level and extended to 155m so it can handle a greater number of train carriages at a time.
"There's been a lot of negative press about the loss of heritage in Auckland so it's good to see something positive," says Mr Neal, a retired electronics lecturer. "Just the fact that the station and signal box are intact is a very good thing."
Mr Neal lives on the same street as the Ellerslie railway station and is stoked to hear $38.9 million is being spent on stations across Auckland over the next three years.
He's visited cities around the world and seen good and bad attempts to deal with the kind of challenges facing Auckland's rail services. Some cities have demolished all their old rail infrastructure and built new rail systems, while others have adapted existing facilities. Mr Neal much prefers the latter.
"The fact that they are lengthening the platform will give this station a whole new lease of life," he says.
The station's ticket office was closed in 1979, while passengers continued to alight and board at the platform. Over the next dozen years, the building was graffitied, vandalised and fell into disrepair to the point of being considered for demolition.
However, concerned residents formed the Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust and restoration began in 1992 - fixing the exterior of the building, repiling the foundations and adding a new roof. An independent film-making company, Toolbox Films, leased the building for about five years.
Mr Neal says he's watched the rising interest in rail and is heartened by it. He says increased use brings a sense of security for all passengers.
"When I used to walk to the train, there'd be 11 or 12 people there waiting for the morning service. I walked up there just before Christmas and there were about 70 people waiting."
Reopening the Onehunga branch line in September has also been pleasing, says Mr Neal. "I've watched as cars have filled the carpark alongside the Onehunga station. It's not completely filled but it's obviously being used more and more."
Remuera is among the first stations upgraded by KiwiRail and Auckland Transport before the system is electrified.
Work at Remuera includes refurbishing the heritage station, new lighting, more security cameras, a public address system and real-time passenger information signs.
After KiwiRail finishes extending the platform, passengers will be able to use the building for shelter.
Auckland Transport's spokesperson, Sharon Hunter, says the agency is discussing plans for the station with the preservation society. "The immediate focus is on the station upgrade. However, options for future uses of the station building will be looked at."
Auckland Transport holds the ground lease and there is no longer a tenant in the building.
The first do-ups to be completed will be Remuera and Penrose, both expected to be ready by the last quarter of this year, closely followed by Greenlane in the first quarter of next year. Also included in the work will be plans and construction of a new station at Parnell, which would use the heritage Newmarket station, currently mothballed.
Auckland Transport figures show Aucklanders currently take 63 million train trips a year. Mayor Len Brown wants that increased to 150 million trips a year by 2021.
Southern Line upgrades
* Papatoetoe, CCTV and lighting, completed second half 2011
* Puhinui, station upgrade, completed second half 2011
* Remuera, full station upgrade, completed end 2011
* Penrose, full station upgrade, completed late 2011
* Greenlane, full station upgrade, completed first half 2012
* Westfield, full station upgrade, completed first half 2012
* Otahuhu, full station upgrade, completed first half 2012
* Te Mahia, full station upgrade, completed second half 2012
* Takanini, full station upgrade, completed second half 2012
* Papakura, partial station upgrade and terminus reconfiguration,
completed second half 2012
* Onehunga Station, track work, platform extensions and partial
station upgrade, completed second half 2011.