The Hamilton to Auckland commuter train proposal moved one step closer to reality on Wednesday when Waikato District Council unanimously endorsed the business case seeking central government funding.
The WDC agreed that $240,000 funding set aside in the Long Term Plan to support a Tuakau rail facility would be re-allocated for the development of facilities at the Huntly rail station, such as shelter, lighting, CCTV, pedestrian access and a park-and-ride, to meet the requirements of the business case to get a start-up service operational by early 2020.
The WDC has yet to decide whether there will be a charge for the park-and-ride.
The council also agreed that a passenger rail facility at Tuakau, given the existing population and planned growth in the area, must be a priority in the medium term future, while also agreeing to lead a separate business case for a train station at Te Kauwhata in year three of the start up rail service.
Councillor Dynes Fulton said it was admirable of the staff, who had completed a robust process of the rail service in a short amount of time.
"When you look at the amount of people involved, we have crossed boundaries and crossed councils and it has been a very good process that has been completed very quickly," Mr Fulton said.
