Light rail in Auckland: Difference between revisions

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(rough work)
(rough work -- see talk)
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==rough work==
==rough work==


<ref name="InternationalRailway">{{cite news| url= http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/auckland-to-launch-light-rail-study.html?channel=541| title= Auckland to launch light rail study| publisher= [[International Railway Journal]]| author= Barrett, Keith| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 3 February 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150203001537/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/auckland-to-launch-light-rail-study.html?channel=541}}</ref>  
<ref name="InternationalRailway">
{{cite news| url= http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/auckland-to-launch-light-rail-study.html?channel=541| title= Auckland to launch light rail study| publisher= [[International Railway Journal]]| author= Barrett, Keith| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 3 February 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150203001537/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/auckland-to-launch-light-rail-study.html?channel=541}}</ref>  


<ref name=3News2015-01-24>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/light-rail-gets-thumbs-up-from-opposition-2015012412#axzz3Pl1koi2S| title= Light rail gets thumbs up from opposition| publisher= [[TV3 (New Zealand)|3 News]]| date= 24 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150420100437/http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/light-rail-gets-thumbs-up-from-opposition-2015012412#axzz3Pl1koi2S| archive-date= 20 April 2015}}</ref>
<ref name=3News2015-01-24>
{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/light-rail-gets-thumbs-up-from-opposition-2015012412#axzz3Pl1koi2S| title= Light rail gets thumbs up from opposition| publisher= [[TV3 (New Zealand)|3 News]]| date= 24 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150420100437/http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/light-rail-gets-thumbs-up-from-opposition-2015012412#axzz3Pl1koi2S| archive-date= 20 April 2015}}</ref>
 
<ref>
{{Cite web |last=Worthington |first=Samantha |title=Auckland to get partially tunnelled CBD to airport light rail |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/27/auckland-to-get-partially-tunnelled-cbd-to-airport-light-rail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208051851/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/27/auckland-to-get-partially-tunnelled-cbd-to-airport-light-rail/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=1 News |language=}}</ref>
 
<ref name=NextCity2015-01-27>
{{cite news| url= http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/beijing-metro-auckland-light-rail-toronto-subway-cost| title= Beijing to Add Four More Metro Lines| publisher= [[Next City]]| author= Smith, Sandy| date= 27 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 30 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150130085004/http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/beijing-metro-auckland-light-rail-toronto-subway-cost}}</ref>
 
<ref name=Herald2015-01-25>
{{cite news| url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11391753| title= From apps to zones: Is this how we get city moving?| work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]| author= Thompson, Wayne| date= 25 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| archive-date= 26 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150126151817/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11391753| url-status= live}}</ref>
 
<ref name=Herald2015-01-23>
{{cite news| url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11390472| title= Light rail returns to the spotlight| author= Dearnaley, Mathew| work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 22 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150122221735/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11390472}}</ref>


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In 2015, the city's transport agency [[Auckland Transport]] proposed a new light rail network - with a focus on a line between the [[Auckland CBD]] and [[Auckland Airport]].<ref name="InternationalRailway"/> In subsequent years, various technology types and modes have been proposed by local and central government - including traditional street tramways and light metro. The most recent form of the project, proposed by the Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand, would see the construction of a hybrid underground/surface route.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Worthington |first=Samantha |title=Auckland to get partially tunnelled CBD to airport light rail |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/27/auckland-to-get-partially-tunnelled-cbd-to-airport-light-rail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208051851/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/01/27/auckland-to-get-partially-tunnelled-cbd-to-airport-light-rail/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=1 News |language=}}</ref>
<ref name=Stuff2015-01-23>
{{cite news| url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65317005/Akld-transport-plan-consultation-opens| title= Len Brown cool on light rail in Auckland transport plan| publisher= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]| author= Slade, Maria| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 10 May 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184540/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65317005/Akld-transport-plan-consultation-opens}}</ref>
 
<ref>
{{Cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=163|title=Notice of Requirement: Bus Rapid Transit - Botany to Rongomai Park (Auckland Transport)|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315085445/https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=163|archive-date=15 March 2023|access-date=2023-03-15}}</ref>
 
<ref>
{{Cite web|url=https://at.govt.nz/media/1978494/item-88-puhinui-station.pdf|title=Airport to Botany Rapid Transit: Puhinui interchange|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219174341/https://at.govt.nz/media/1978494/item-88-puhinui-station.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2020|access-date=}}</ref>


==History==
<ref>
===Background===
{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/southwest-gateway/Southwest-Gateway-Airport-to-Botany-rapid-transit-poster.pdf|title=Southwest Gateway Airport to Botany Rapid Transit|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328140426/https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/southwest-gateway/Southwest-Gateway-Airport-to-Botany-rapid-transit-poster.pdf|archive-date=28 March 2020|access-date=}}</ref>
[[File:Upper Symonds Street looking North towards central city (1904).jpg|thumb|Trams on Upper [[Symonds Street]] in 1904.]]


[[Auckland]] was served by a network of traditional [[tramcar]] routes with horse-drawn trams (1884–1902) and electric trams (1902–1956).<ref name=NextCity2015-01-27>{{cite news| url= http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/beijing-metro-auckland-light-rail-toronto-subway-cost| title= Beijing to Add Four More Metro Lines| publisher= [[Next City]]| author= Smith, Sandy| date= 27 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 30 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150130085004/http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/beijing-metro-auckland-light-rail-toronto-subway-cost}}</ref><ref name=Herald2015-01-25>{{cite news| url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11391753| title= From apps to zones: Is this how we get city moving?| work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]| author= Thompson, Wayne| date= 25 January 2015| accessdate= 27 January 2015| archive-date= 26 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150126151817/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11391753| url-status= live}}</ref> The original tram network was {{convert|72|km|mi}} in length at its fullest extent from the mid-1930s until closures began in 1949.<ref name=Herald2015-01-23>{{cite news| url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11390472| title= Light rail returns to the spotlight| author= Dearnaley, Mathew| work= [[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 22 January 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150122221735/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11390472}}</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web|url=https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/airport-to-botany-rapid-transit/|title=Airport to Botany Rapid Transit|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401233722/https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/airport-to-botany-rapid-transit/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Initial proposals===
<ref name="Auckland Transport2018-05-9">
In 2015, Steve Hawkins, [[Auckland Transport]]'s Chief Engineer, said that the bus routes on [[Newton, New Zealand|Symonds Street]] and Fanshawe Street require as many as 150 buses each.<ref name=Stuff2015-01-23>{{cite news| url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65317005/Akld-transport-plan-consultation-opens| title= Len Brown cool on light rail in Auckland transport plan| publisher= [[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]| author= Slade, Maria| date= 23 January 2015| accessdate= 28 January 2015| url-status= live| archive-date= 10 May 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184540/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/65317005/Akld-transport-plan-consultation-opens}}</ref> The light rail study is considering replacing the bus routes on [[Dominion Road]], Manukau Road, Mt Eden Road, Symonds Street and [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen St]] with light rail routes.  All of these bus routes replaced routes on Auckland's former tram network.
{{cite news| url=https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/light-rail/| title=Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018| publisher=Auckland Transport| accessdate=10 May 2018| archive-date=20 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120093628/https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/light-rail/| url-status=dead}}</ref>


''[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]'' quoted Auckland Transport officials who described how the study was considering the option of building light rail routes with dedicated right of way versus routes where rail vehicles shared the road with other vehicles, as with a traditional [[streetcar]] system.<ref name=Stuff2015-01-23/> Officials projected that the maximum passenger capacity of a segregated light rail line would be 18,000 passengers per hour, while that of a street-running system would be 12,000 passengers per hour. This compares with a bus on a shared path shifting 2,500 people and a bus on a priority path's 6,000 people an hour.<ref name=Herald2015-01-25/>
<ref name="MoT">
{{cite news| url=https://www.transport.govt.nz/land/auckland/atap| title=Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018| publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Transport/Te Manatu Waka| date=9 May 2018| accessdate=10 May 2018| url-status=live| archive-date=10 May 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115340/https://www.transport.govt.nz/land/auckland/atap}}</ref>


In 2015, then Auckland Mayor [[Len Brown]] pointed out that the city's ten-year plan did not include funding for building new light rail routes.<ref name=Stuff2015-01-23/>
<ref name="Stuff2018-05-09">
{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103750310/nz-super-fund-keen-to-build-and-operate-aucklands-light-rail|author=Cooke, Henry|accessdate=10 May 2018|title=NZ Super Fund keen to build and operate Auckland's light rail|date=9 May 2018|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115716/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103750310/nz-super-fund-keen-to-build-and-operate-aucklands-light-rail|url-status=live}}</ref>


{{maplink|frame=yes|type=line|id=Q117100750|text=The Airport to [[Botany Downs|Botany]] route, which will be built as a [[Bus rapid transit|Busway]] instead of light rail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=163|title=Notice of Requirement: Bus Rapid Transit - Botany to Rongomai Park (Auckland Transport)|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315085445/https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=163|archive-date=15 March 2023|access-date=2023-03-15}}</ref> No other routes have been confirmed yet.}}
A line from the airport east to [[Botany Downs]] has also been proposed with a new interchange at [[Puhinui railway station]], planned to be built in two stages, the first of which is said to be an early deliverable component of the Airport to Botany rapid transit line, planned to be operational by the end of 2020/early 2021. This encompasses a new at-grade bus/rail interchange and enhanced station. Buses will still use the existing local road (Bridge Street) to cross the railway line to/from Manukau, along with local traffic. The second phase provides a rapid transit overbridge across the railway line to provide a more direct and bespoke rapid transit connection. The new rapid transit link will integrate with the new interchange station on the overbridge. The first stage is estimated to cost $59 million to construct.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://at.govt.nz/media/1978494/item-88-puhinui-station.pdf|title=Airport to Botany Rapid Transit: Puhinui interchange|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219174341/https://at.govt.nz/media/1978494/item-88-puhinui-station.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2020|access-date=}}</ref> The line will also go through [[Manukau railway station]] before ending in Botany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/southwest-gateway/Southwest-Gateway-Airport-to-Botany-rapid-transit-poster.pdf|title=Southwest Gateway Airport to Botany Rapid Transit|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328140426/https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/southwest-gateway/Southwest-Gateway-Airport-to-Botany-rapid-transit-poster.pdf|archive-date=28 March 2020|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/airport-to-botany-rapid-transit/|title=Airport to Botany Rapid Transit|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401233722/https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/airport-to-botany-rapid-transit/|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 26 April 2018, [[Mayor of Auckland|Mayor]] [[Phil Goff]] and [[Minister of Transport (New Zealand)|Transport Minister]] [[Phil Twyford]] announced the Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018 with [[New Zealand dollar|$NZ]]28 billion of investment in Auckland transport infrastructure over ten years, including the fast-tracking of light rail to [[Auckland International Airport]].<ref name="Auckland Transport2018-05-9">{{cite news| url=https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/light-rail/| title=Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018| publisher=Auckland Transport| accessdate=10 May 2018| archive-date=20 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120093628/https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/light-rail/| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MoT">{{cite news| url=https://www.transport.govt.nz/land/auckland/atap| title=Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2018| publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Transport/Te Manatu Waka| date=9 May 2018| accessdate=10 May 2018| url-status=live| archive-date=10 May 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115340/https://www.transport.govt.nz/land/auckland/atap}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202106|accessdate=25 August 2019|title=Trams could run under Queen St as part of Auckland's $6 billion light rail project|date=9 February 2019|publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=24 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824210609/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202106|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 9 May 2018, in a pre-Budget announcement, Twyford and [[New Zealand Minister of Finance|Finance Minister]] [[Grant Robertson]] made the surprise announcement that work on two routes would commence immediately, with an open-tender process for funding, construction, and operation of the lines:<ref name="Stuff2018-05-09">{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103750310/nz-super-fund-keen-to-build-and-operate-aucklands-light-rail|author=Cooke, Henry|accessdate=10 May 2018|title=NZ Super Fund keen to build and operate Auckland's light rail|date=9 May 2018|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|archive-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115716/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103750310/nz-super-fund-keen-to-build-and-operate-aucklands-light-rail|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>
* A line from [[Wynyard Quarter]] along [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen Street]] with one route to Auckland Airport via [[Dominion Road]].<ref name="Stuff2018-05-09"/>
{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114654542/auckland-light-rail-announcement-soon|title=Auckland Light Rail announcement 'soon'|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=1 August 2019|accessdate=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801162859/https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114654542/auckland-light-rail-announcement-soon|url-status=live}}</ref>  
* A second line, also travelling along Queen Street, then via Karangahape Road and [[Great North Road, New Zealand|Great North Road]] to [[Westgate, New Zealand|Westgate]] via a [[Northwestern Motorway]] dedicated light-rail corridor, with extensions indicated to [[Kumeū]] and [[Huapai]], running past the currently disused [[Kumeu railway station|Kumeū]] and [[Huapai railway station]]s on the [[North Auckland Line]]. Passenger services on the [[Western Line (Auckland)|Western Line]] do not currently operate north of [[Swanson railway station|Swanson]] and do not serve these stations.<ref name="Stuff2018-05-09"/>


In May 2018, it was announced that the [[New Zealand Superannuation Fund]] had expressed an interest in financing, designing, building and operating Auckland's light rail network, in a consortium with [[CDPQ Infra]], a Canadian infrastructure company. The consortium was named NZ Infra.<ref name="Stuff2018-05-09"/>
<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/two-delivery-partners-shortlisted-for-auckland-light-rail/|title=Two delivery partners shortlisted for Auckland light rail|website=International Railway Journal|date=23 August 2019|accessdate=25 August 2019|archive-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825113727/https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/two-delivery-partners-shortlisted-for-auckland-light-rail/|url-status=live}}</ref>  


By early 2019, the cost of the two lines had been estimated at $6 billion, with an underground alignment through Queen St under consideration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202106|accessdate=25 August 2019|title=Trams could run under Queen St as part of Auckland's $6 billion light rail project|date=9 February 2019|publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=24 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824210609/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202106|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117065848/what-do-we-know-about-the-two-light-rail-plans-and-is-the-super-funds-worth-waiting-for|title=What do we know about the two light rail plans, and is the Super Fund's worth waiting for|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=31 October 2019|accessdate=2 November 2019|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102033053/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117065848/what-do-we-know-about-the-two-light-rail-plans-and-is-the-super-funds-worth-waiting-for|url-status=live}}</ref>


In August 2019, Mayor Phil Goff announced that work on the light rail network might begin the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114654542/auckland-light-rail-announcement-soon|title=Auckland Light Rail announcement 'soon'|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=1 August 2019|accessdate=1 August 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801162859/https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114654542/auckland-light-rail-announcement-soon|url-status=live}}</ref> The same month, two delivery partners for the project were shortlisted; NZ Infra and [[NZ Transport Agency]], but it was stated that a 2020 start date would be unlikely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/two-delivery-partners-shortlisted-for-auckland-light-rail/|title=Two delivery partners shortlisted for Auckland light rail|website=International Railway Journal|date=23 August 2019|accessdate=25 August 2019|archive-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825113727/https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/light-rail/two-delivery-partners-shortlisted-for-auckland-light-rail/|url-status=live}}</ref> By late 2019, two different types of technology were being considered by the New Zealand Ministry of Transport. The original proposal from the New Zealand Transport Agency consisted of surface level light rail; the other from NZ Super Fund explored fully grade-separated, [[automatic train operation|driverless]] [[light metro]] technology, with an underground alignment through Queen St and elevated sections elsewhere, with fewer stations between the city centre and airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117065848/what-do-we-know-about-the-two-light-rail-plans-and-is-the-super-funds-worth-waiting-for|title=What do we know about the two light rail plans, and is the Super Fund's worth waiting for|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=31 October 2019|accessdate=2 November 2019|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102033053/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117065848/what-do-we-know-about-the-two-light-rail-plans-and-is-the-super-funds-worth-waiting-for|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/10/24/875033/aucklands-light-rail-decision-housing-or-transport|title=Twyford's dilemma: housing or a fast trip to the airport?|website=www.newsroom.co.nz|date=24 October 2019|accessdate=2 November 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024210838/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/10/24/875033/aucklands-light-rail-decision-housing-or-transport|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/10/24/875033/aucklands-light-rail-decision-housing-or-transport|title=Twyford's dilemma: housing or a fast trip to the airport?|website=www.newsroom.co.nz|date=24 October 2019|accessdate=2 November 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024210838/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/10/24/875033/aucklands-light-rail-decision-housing-or-transport|url-status=live}}</ref>


In May 2020, it was reported that the light rail project had been placed on hold due to the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=Government puts light rail 'on hold' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300011411/government-puts-light-rail-on-hold |accessdate=13 May 2020 |work=stuff |date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=20 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520130242/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300011411/government-puts-light-rail-on-hold |url-status=live }}</ref> In June, Twyford confirmed that the Ministry of Transport was still committed to the project, but as a fully grade-separated light metro line between the city and airport;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/1247394/light-metro-not-light-rail|title='Light Metro', not 'Light Rail'|website=www.newsroom.co.nz|date=26 June 2020|accessdate=26 June 2020|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628173203/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/1247394/light-metro-not-light-rail|url-status=live}}</ref> stating that "Our policy is that light metro is the form of rapid transit that Auckland needs. We've decided very clearly that we need a rapid transit system that's not competing with pedestrians and other cars in the road corridor. A light metro system just like you see in London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, is actually faster and more efficient. It would allow you to get from Queen St to the Airport in 30 minutes as opposed to the 47 minutes that was projected for the old streetcar model Auckland Transport developed." The ministry did not release the updated cost of the new light metro proposal, or any time frame for its construction. However industry commentators have estimated the decision to use the metro mode will increase cost of the two lines from $6 billion to more than $20 billion, with a new design and construction period of 8 to 10 years beginning from 2021 at the earliest.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=Light Rail dies but Light Metro may return|url=https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2020/06/25/light-rail-dies-but-light-metro-may-return/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Greater Auckland|language=en-NZ|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804052111/https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2020/06/25/light-rail-dies-but-light-metro-may-return/|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=Government puts light rail 'on hold' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300011411/government-puts-light-rail-on-hold |accessdate=13 May 2020 |work=stuff |date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=20 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520130242/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300011411/government-puts-light-rail-on-hold |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Final proposal===
<ref>
In January 2022, the New Zealand government confirmed it had endorsed a $14.6 billion "Tunnelled Light Rail" line from the city centre to the airport, featuring an underground line between the city centre and [[Mount Roskill]], which would then emerge to the surface and continue to the airport via [[Māngere]]. [[Ministry of Transport (New Zealand)|Minister for Transport]] [[Michael Wood (New Zealand politician)|Michael Wood]] indicated construction could begin in 2023 and last six to seven years.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 January 2022 |title=Auckland light rail goes for tunnel option with harbour crossing |url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127610200/auckland-light-rail-goes-for-tunnel-option-with-harbour-crossing |access-date=28 January 2022 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128071228/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127610200/auckland-light-rail-goes-for-tunnel-option-with-harbour-crossing |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/1247394/light-metro-not-light-rail|title='Light Metro', not 'Light Rail'|website=www.newsroom.co.nz|date=26 June 2020|accessdate=26 June 2020|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628173203/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/1247394/light-metro-not-light-rail|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Potential cancellation ===
<ref>
Following the [[2023 New Zealand general election|2023 General Election]], the incoming Prime Minister, [[Christopher Luxon]], told media that his government would be cancelling the project "because it’s a white elephant”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franks |first=Raphael |date=19 October 2023 |title=Election 2023: Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon pays visit to his Botany electorate |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2023-prime-minister-elect-christopher-luxon-pays-visit-to-his-botany-electorate/XK7MBUHAWJHIJHU72LLCT5HURQ/ |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=New Zealand Herald}}</ref>
{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=Light Rail dies but Light Metro may return|url=https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2020/06/25/light-rail-dies-but-light-metro-may-return/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Greater Auckland|language=en-NZ|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804052111/https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2020/06/25/light-rail-dies-but-light-metro-may-return/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:4,03 Hauts de St-Aubin Citadis n°1016 (tram Angers) par Cramos.JPG|thumb|[[Angers tramway|Angers light rail network]]]]
However, Auckland mayor [[Wayne Brown (New Zealand politician)|Wayne Brown]] contended that the project could be built at a fraction of the cost of previous options, citing overseas projects such as the [[Angers tramway|light rail network]] in the French city of [[Angers]] which cost just $53 million per kilometre, against the $375 million which he described as being the current cheapest option for the route.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollingworth |first=Adam |date=20 October 2023 |title=Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to scrap Light Rail, Auckland mayor suggests cheaper option |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/10/incoming-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-scrap-light-rail-auckland-mayor-suggests-cheaper-option.html |access-date=20 October 2023 |website=Newshub}}</ref>


On 29 November 2023, under their 100-day plan, the National-led government undertook to stop central government work on the Auckland Light Rail project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neilson |first=Michael |date=29 November 2023 |title=Christopher Luxon’s first Cabinet: Unveils Government’s 100-day plan, pressure to rein in Winston Peters |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/watch-live-christopher-luxon-faces-pressure-to-rein-in-winston-peters-as-he-fronts-first-post-cabinet-press-conference/KEQJSEU7YVDUBJDUEBZX6INU4Y/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |website=NZ Herald}}</ref> However, Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton said light rail was still an option for the city - if above ground.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Amy |date=30 November 2023 |title=Auckland Light Rail: New government taking advice after stopping work on project |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/503560/auckland-light-rail-new-government-taking-advice-after-stopping-work-on-project |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=RNZ}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web |date=28 January 2022 |title=Auckland light rail goes for tunnel option with harbour crossing |url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127610200/auckland-light-rail-goes-for-tunnel-option-with-harbour-crossing |access-date=28 January 2022 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128071228/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127610200/auckland-light-rail-goes-for-tunnel-option-with-harbour-crossing |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Route==
<ref>
{{See also|City Centre–Māngere Line}}
{{Cite web |last=Franks |first=Raphael |date=19 October 2023 |title=Election 2023: Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon pays visit to his Botany electorate |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2023-prime-minister-elect-christopher-luxon-pays-visit-to-his-botany-electorate/XK7MBUHAWJHIJHU72LLCT5HURQ/ |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=New Zealand Herald}}</ref>
The [[City Centre–Māngere Line|City Centre-Māngere]] line is, as of 2022, proposed to run from [[Wynyard Quarter]] to Auckland Airport; via the Auckland CBD, [[University of Auckland]], [[Kingsland railway station, Auckland|Kingsland railway station]], [[Wesley, New Zealand|Wesley]], [[Mount Roskill]], [[Onehunga]] and [[Māngere]]. There would be a total of 18 stops with trains running every five minutes. While the line between Wynyard Quarter and [[Mount Roskill]] would be tunnelled, the rest of the network would be a surface line running alongside [[State Highway 20 (New Zealand)|State Highway 20]].<ref name="Newshub 28 Jan 2022">{{cite news |last1=Small |first1=Zane |title=$14 billion Auckland light rail bid gets green light, decision on second Waitemata Harbour crossing on 2023 |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/14-billion-auckland-light-rail-bid-gets-green-light-decision-on-second-waitemat-harbour-crossing-in-2023.html |access-date=29 January 2022 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129202949/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/14-billion-auckland-light-rail-bid-gets-green-light-decision-on-second-waitemat-harbour-crossing-in-2023.html |archive-date=29 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RNZ 28 Jan 2022">{{cite news |date=29 January 2022 |title=Auckland light rail tunnel to run to Mt Roskill before following SH20 to the airport |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460377/auckland-light-rail-tunnel-to-run-to-mt-roskill-before-following-sh20-to-the-airport |url-status=live |access-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128034022/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460377/auckland-light-rail-tunnel-to-run-to-mt-roskill-before-following-sh20-to-the-airport |archive-date=28 January 2022}}</ref>


==See also==
<ref>
* [[Rail transport in New Zealand]]
{{Cite web |last=Hollingworth |first=Adam |date=20 October 2023 |title=Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to scrap Light Rail, Auckland mayor suggests cheaper option |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/10/incoming-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-scrap-light-rail-auckland-mayor-suggests-cheaper-option.html |access-date=20 October 2023 |website=Newshub}}</ref>
* [[Trams in New Zealand]]
* [[Auckland Airport Line]]
* [[Public transport in Auckland]]
* [[Light rail in Wellington]]


==References==
<ref>
{{Reflist}}
{{Cite web |last=Neilson |first=Michael |date=29 November 2023 |title=Christopher Luxon’s first Cabinet: Unveils Government’s 100-day plan, pressure to rein in Winston Peters |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/watch-live-christopher-luxon-faces-pressure-to-rein-in-winston-peters-as-he-fronts-first-post-cabinet-press-conference/KEQJSEU7YVDUBJDUEBZX6INU4Y/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |website=NZ Herald}}</ref>
 
<ref>
{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Amy |date=30 November 2023 |title=Auckland Light Rail: New government taking advice after stopping work on project |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/503560/auckland-light-rail-new-government-taking-advice-after-stopping-work-on-project |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=RNZ}}</ref>
 
<ref name="Newshub 28 Jan 2022">
{{cite news |last1=Small |first1=Zane |title=$14 billion Auckland light rail bid gets green light, decision on second Waitemata Harbour crossing on 2023 |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/14-billion-auckland-light-rail-bid-gets-green-light-decision-on-second-waitemat-harbour-crossing-in-2023.html |access-date=29 January 2022 |work=[[Newshub]] |date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129202949/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/01/14-billion-auckland-light-rail-bid-gets-green-light-decision-on-second-waitemat-harbour-crossing-in-2023.html |archive-date=29 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
<ref name="RNZ 28 Jan 2022">
{{cite news |date=29 January 2022 |title=Auckland light rail tunnel to run to Mt Roskill before following SH20 to the airport |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460377/auckland-light-rail-tunnel-to-run-to-mt-roskill-before-following-sh20-to-the-airport |url-status=live |access-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128034022/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460377/auckland-light-rail-tunnel-to-run-to-mt-roskill-before-following-sh20-to-the-airport |archive-date=28 January 2022}}</ref>


==External links==
*{{cite news|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12030342| title= Auckland has a better option for Airport rapid transit| work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| author= Boswell, Ross| date= 12 April 2018}}
*{{cite news|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12030342| title= Auckland has a better option for Airport rapid transit| work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| author= Boswell, Ross| date= 12 April 2018}}
*{{cite news|url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12048159| author= Davison, Isaac | title= Auckland's new rail lines could be ready within six years, but only if Labour is still in power| work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 10 May 2018 }}
*{{cite news|url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12048159| author= Davison, Isaac | title= Auckland's new rail lines could be ready within six years, but only if Labour is still in power| work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 10 May 2018 }}
Line 95: Line 122:
*{{cite news|url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12048269| title= Business should be salivating over new light rail lines| author= Wilson, Simon | work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 10 May 2018}}
*{{cite news|url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12048269| title= Business should be salivating over new light rail lines| author= Wilson, Simon | work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]| date= 10 May 2018}}
{{Public transport in Auckland}}
{{Public transport in Auckland}}
-->


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 12:44, 2 January 2024

In 2015 Auckland, New Zealand, considered building light rail lines to replace some of its most heavily used bus lines.[1] Many of these new light rail lines, if built, would echo Auckland's former tram system.[2]

Auckland was served by a network of traditional tram or streetcar routes until the mid-20th Century.[3][4] The original tram network had 72 km (44.74 mi) of track.[5]

Steve Hawkins, Auckland Transport's Chief Engineer, said that the bus routes on Symonds Street and Fanshawe Street require as many as 150 buses each.[6] The Light Rail study is considering replacing the bus routes on Dominion Road, Manukau Road, Mt Eden Road, Symonds Street and Queen St with light rail routes. All of those bus routes replaced routes on Auckland's 20th Century Tram network.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown pointed out that the city's ten year plan did not include funding for building new light rail routes.[6]

Stuff.nz quoted Auckland Transport officials who described how the study was considering the option of building light rail routes, with a dedicated right of way, and the option of building routes where rail vehicles shared the road with other vehicles, as with a traditional streetcar system.[6] Officials projected that the maximum passenger capacity of a true light rail line would be 18,000 passengers per hour, while the maximum capacity of a system where vehicles shared the road with other vehicles would max out at 12,000 passengers per hour. They said 2,500 passengers per hour was the practical maximum for a bus route.

A series of formal proposals were made

In 2023

rough work

[7]

[2]

[8]

[3]

[9]

[10]


  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named InternationalRailway2015-01-23
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Light rail gets thumbs up from opposition, 3 News, 24 January 2015. Retrieved on 27 January 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Smith, Sandy. Beijing to Add Four More Metro Lines, Next City, 27 January 2015. Retrieved on 28 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NzHerald2015-01-25
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NzHerald2015-01-23
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Stuff2015-01-23
  7. ↑ Barrett, Keith. Auckland to launch light rail study, International Railway Journal, 23 January 2015. Retrieved on 27 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Worthington, Samantha. Auckland to get partially tunnelled CBD to airport light rail.
  9. ↑ Thompson, Wayne. From apps to zones: Is this how we get city moving?, The New Zealand Herald, 25 January 2015. Retrieved on 27 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Dearnaley, Mathew. Light rail returns to the spotlight, The New Zealand Herald, 23 January 2015. Retrieved on 28 January 2015.
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