Comments on: CBD Rail Tunnel – how many stations?

By: Luke

Luke — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:06:14 +0000

interesting point about the shelters though. Baldwin looks all very nice on a sunny day, but on a windy/rainy day catching the train could be very miserable. Having longer shelters would be much better, also more shelters on access points and overbridges etc.
Maybe more shelters will happen as patronage increases.

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 06:08:52 +0000

I think EMU cars will be ~24m long, so three of them will be ~72m, six will be ~144m, our current carriages are ~20m. Note the tenders have yet to be finalized, so the spec could still change.

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 06:04:03 +0000

Impressive. I’ve always misunderstood the Tunnel, but after seeing the oppourtunities it will bring for Auckland, I was like “HURRY UP JOYCE!, TIME FOR THE RoNS!!!, Rail of National Significance!” .

Also another thing. I took trains along the Eastern, Southern & Western lines (in that order) & was amazed at how long the platforms at all the stations are. I was also amazed at how small the shelters looked compared to the platforms. Does anyone know how long the new 3 Car EMU’s will be?, also are there any plans to extend the shelters further along the platform?.

By: admin

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:49:58 +0000

In central cities extra stations can make good sense because the catchments served are much denser. The real question is whether we can afford all the stations – I certainly hope so, but they’re a pretty expensive part of the project.

From memory, all three underground stations are more than $100 million each to construct.

By: Matt L

Matt L — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:06:43 +0000

Kingsland to Symonds St would be about 1.6km, about 700m to K Rd, 1.1 to Midtown and 900m to Britomart. By removing one station it would only save about 1 minute and I think in this case the patronage gained by having it would easily outweigh the time lost by stopping there. As part of the tunnel business case they also investigated areas for development and there were quite a few around the station so there is plenty of potential.

By: rtc

rtc — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:04:35 +0000

Funny how all those transport experts and engineers not only think it’s doable they also think it’s the only feasible option and will provide a pretty handsome return the investment in it. But then again, they clearly didn’t ask you and must have forgotten that the tunnel would need to connect into the existing rail lines at surface level…

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:31:17 +0000

So what would be the distance in between the stations on the network. After seeing how close together the Western Line Stations are(up to about Mt Albert to Kingsland) & how close Manurewa Station & Te Mahia Station are, I’ve been having doubts with having 3 stations in the Tunnel. I know it’s a major transport project for not only Auckland but New Zealand, but yeah.

By: Nick R

Nick R — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:58:31 +0000

There is a huge amount of development potential in the Newton area, in terms of future city growth Newton should be ranked No.1 priority.
As it is they could build three or four skyscrapers without acquiring any property, there are several empty lots used for carparking.

By: Luke

Luke — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:44:10 +0000

Newton is essential for interchanging with buses (light rail maybe) from Dominion, Sandringham, Mt Eden Roads.
Also will provide interchange with buses for older people who dont wish to walk to uni area.
Offers best chance of redevelopment and ability to profit from betterment.
I hope a whole lot of rubbish properties can be acquired for ‘construction’ and then sold off as development sites once the tunnel is built.
I think this could be a really cool area, with the old shop frontages giving character, and the neglected Basque Road reserve being a focal point.

By: Shayno

Shayno — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:38:14 +0000

I dearly hope it isn’t called Aotea. Midtown is fine. Aotea just doesn’t ring a bell in terms of location.