Environment Waikato's decision to include an Auckland-Hamilton commuter rail service in their plans for next year has been welcomed by the Green Party today.
Waikato transport officials said that they hope to have a proposal for the service finalised in time for Environment Waikato's draft budgets in February.
"A rail service between Auckland and Hamilton will be good for commuters and for local businesses with employees who frequently travel between the two towns," said Gareth Hughes, Green Party transport spokesperson.
"It's great to see Environment Waikato finally supporting a service that has wide popular support.
"This is the type of transport initiative we need to future proof our transport system and economy against threats such as increasing oil prices and climate change.
"If more people can travel by rail between Auckland and Hamilton, the roads in both cities will be less congested, commuters will be safer and have time to work on their journey, and it will free up capacity on the highway for freight," said Mr Hughes.
"However, the Auckland Transport Agency says they may not be able to fit another peak hour service from Waikato into Britomart, which highlights the urgent need to fast-track the CBD rail loop.
"It's hard to see why the CBD Rail Loop isn't a project of national significance for this Government, when it is so urgently needed and will move more people for less money than many of the billion dollar motorways they are planning."
Link to Fast track the CBD Rail Loop petition:
http://www.greens.org.nz/petitions/petition-fast-track-auckland-cbd-rail...
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