The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and KiwiRail said today that the new station due to be reopened on the Onehunga Branch Line was developed in accordance with passenger growth estimates to 2016.
ARTA’s spokesperson, Sharon Hunter said, “Passenger travel shows patronage on the line from September 2010 for the two hours at morning peak, from 7am to 9am, is estimated to be approximately 100 people boarding at Onehunga. This compares with 3,600 people alighting at Britomart during the morning peak period.
“The trains departing from Onehunga will be able to take 530 people seated with capacity of 1,000 including standing. This ensures capacity is future-proofed for growth.
“By 2016 patronage is estimated to increase to almost 300 people boarding and, following electrification in 2013/14 the number of trains departing Onehunga will provide 940 seats with a total capacity of 1,840.
Ms Hunter said, “At this stage it would not be prudent to put a four car train on the line with two cars potentially empty when carriages can be better used elsewhere on the network at busier stations.
“However, should patronage grow beyond the future-proofing we have put in place, there is room for the platform at Onehunga to be extended, potentially as part of a loop to the airport.
“Consents and constraints took into account the requirements of the local community in Onehunga, with conditions of the consent from the Auckland City Council, requiring railway lines to be at least 14m away from apartment blocks off Princess Street to meet noise and vibration limits.
“The local community including the Community Board, the local Member of Parliament and the Onehunga Business Association have been consulted by ARTA, KiwiRail and the ARC as we have developed the line. Noise and vibration from the new line were key concerns for residents these were taken into account by Auckland City in its consent conditions and by ARTA and KiwiRail in their planning of the project. We look forward to bringing the reopened line to Onehunga”, said Ms Hunter.
