One of the carriages undergoing refurbishment. Photo / Hamilton City Council
Buses and trains will converge on a bustling new Rotokauri transport centre beside The Base when the Hamilton to Auckland commuter rail service begins in just under a year.
Hamilton city councillors were due to discuss the final design of the hub, including a footbridge over the railway line to connect the new transport centre with existing bus terminus at The Base in Te Rapa.
Hamilton city councillor Dave Macpherson, who chairs the HCC growth and infrastructure committee, said the new centre would be used more by bus than rail, but will be designed around the rail stop.
"That is part of the reason we are keen on getting the footbridge in as soon as possible. It will allow buses to stop on either side (of the train tracks) and people will be able to transfer between each services," Mr Macpherson said.
"I know the regional council are looking at maybe the buses from the east side of the city heading to The Base bus stops, and the buses coming from the west stopping near the railway line."
The Te Rapa bus station, currently a two lane stop, is at capacity.
"They are going to have to build three more bus stopping bays on The Base side, as well as the extra ones where the new park and ride will be."
He said Hamilton council's next stage is to get the final design of the centre sorted as soon as possible, which includes car parking spaces, bus stops and protection from the rain.
"We want to start this as soon as possible in the next construction season, so around September."
The engine and the carriages are now being being refurbished, with the carriages arriving in Upper Hutt to have work undertaken.
NZTA has confirmed they will provide 75.5 per cent of financial assistance for rolling stock maintenance and 75.5 per cent of financial assistance for HCC above ground work
As part of the project, a railway maintenance facility will be reinstated at Te Rapa next to the transport centre.
Mr Macpherson said the Frankton rail station may receive a new coat of paint, but no other upgrade is planned there.
Down the line the council is also looking at the possibility of opening a central Hamilton train station, although Mr Macpherson has ruled out using the existing underground station below The Warehouse in the CBD, which has not been used in decades.
"That station is really difficult to work with. It is quite narrow, there is only one track in there and the platform is on the wrong side," Mr Macpherson said.
"We could look at the block between Seddon Rd and Tristram St, just outside the tunnel. We reckon that is where you build a basement level station but it is in the open."
HCC is working with Northern District Cricket to design a new cricket facility in the area, as part of the plans, council is looking into closing Bryce Street, in between Tristram St and Seddon Rd.
There is still opposition to the rail service, including councillor Garry Mallett who believes the cost does not justify the level of service that the rail service will provide. Mr Macpherson said he is not worried.
"I just say to people like Garry, bye bye as we go past you on the Southern Motorway parking lot at Drury. We'll have a beer ready for you when you get to Auckland, Garry."