Passenger trains will make their return to an upgraded Pukekohe Station from tomorrow, carrying Auckland commuters every 20 minutes on the new electrified line.
The station closed over two years ago for KiwiRail to electrify the rail line between Papakura and Pukekohe.
More than 800 mast structures have been installed to support close to 130 kilometres of overhead electric line.
Trains will begin running every 20 minutes from Pukekohe to Britomart from tomorrow.
Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton said the reopening of the station was a “gamechanger” for Pukekohe and the surrounding area.
“With buses linking directly to Pukekohe Station from surrounding areas like Waiuku, and the option to now use contactless payments, public transport is an easy way to travel even in the furthest south parts of the region.”
The station’s re-opening comes ahead of the construction and development of three new train stations in Auckland’s south – at Drury, Ngākōroa (west of Drury) and Paerātā.
Maintenance was also carried out while the line was closed.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said it was “exciting” to see this important project finished.
“Over the next two decades 100,000 more people are expected to be living in the area south of Papakura, with more than 40,000 homes to be built in the area. Employment is expected to grow by 50,000 jobs,” he said in a media release.
“I want to thank the many contractors and other agencies who have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to make today a reality, as well as commuters and the wider community for their patience as these works have been delivered.”
Prior to the 2022 closure of the line for electrification, Pukekohe commuters would have to change from a diesel shuttle train to electric train services at Papakura.
Test electric trains began operating on the line from Papakura as early as July last year, with construction on the Pukekohe station complex completed in August.
