The first new railway route to be opened in Auckland since the NIMT deviation of 1930! How could this happen in the age of Steven Joyce? Well it was planned before his regrettable arrival on the scene, and it's only 2 km in length, but its potential traffic projections are big.
The first train to Manukau pulled in to the new station this morning breaking a ceremonial ribbon. The first stage of the station was officially opened today by the Mayor. Len Brown was on board a special train which travelled to Manukau from Britomart. Today's ceremony will be followed by a community open day on Saturday 14 April from 11.30am to 2pm, giving the public the opportunity to see the new station and ride on the new rail line before services begin on Sunday 15 April..
The first stage of the station fit-out at platform level includes a passenger lift and escalator, CCTV cameras and HOP ready ticket machines.
Construction is continuing above ground on the second stage, a $95 million tertiary campus with an integrated transport hub at ground floor level. This is joint development between Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), Auckland Transport and Auckland Council
Len Brown says it's an exciting day because it marks the extension of the network into a community that has not yet really experienced the benefits of rail transport.
"We want the Manukau city centre and the surrounding area to be places that are easy to get to and get around. This development will play a big part in achieving that.
"It's all part of an ongoing program to give Auckland integrated transport choices and includes the introduction of our new $500 million electric train fleet, the $1.5 billion Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) and the Central Rail Link.
When the tertiary campus and station are complete in 2013, the new station entrance will be on the ground floor of the Manukau Tertiary Centre. When this second stage opens it will have high quality facilities, including a ticket office, cycle facilities with easy connections between trains and buses from just outside the station entrance. Pic from the Auckland transport and urban design website
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