Hawkins demands answers on Auckland's railway 'dog'

By STUART DYE

The Auditor-General has been asked to investigate the Auckland Regional Council over its handling of the rail service.

Former Papakura mayor David Hawkins said yesterday that he had grown increasingly frustrated over the poor rail service and problems at the new Britomart terminal.

He has written to the Office of the Auditor-General asking it to investigate whether the ARC has provided value for money.

Mr Hawkins said a considerable amount of public money had been invested by the ARC, but there was a consistent pattern of dysfunctional service.

"The people I travel with are fed up with the inability of the ARC to achieve a reliable rail service," he said.

"We want some independent answers as to why ratepayers have contributed so much over the years, only to be saddled with such a dog."

A spokeswoman for the Auditor-General's office confirmed the letter of complaint had been received.

The ARC already faces possible investigation over its rates increases.

A council spokesman said he knew nothing about the rail complaint and could not comment. But he said services were improving to and from Britomart.

The three bodies in charge of the network - the ARC, Tranz Rail and the Auckland Regional Transport Network - met last week and promised to solve problems with new tracks, signalling and the station.

"We have identified some of the early problems and sorted them out," said the ARC spokesman.

Some delays were expected to continue as drivers got used to the line into the downtown terminal and track problems were addressed.

Back at Britomart

Schoolchildren will be lining up to get back on the trains next week after the holidays - but there was little sign of improvement to services yesterday.

* Trains leaving Britomart on the line to Waitakere were more than an hour late, the 2.45pm service eventually leaving at 3.54pm.

* The 3.12pm service was cancelled. Officials at the station blamed the volume of passengers.

* Papakura trains were running more or less on time before the rush-hour.

* Britomart will close on Sunday from 11am to 5pm for completion work.