Regional Authority push
DRIVER: Long-time local government representative Mike Lee fought for rail electrification and major improvements in public transport
Near the start of the new millennium, the Auckland Regional Authority revived the push for electrification and for expansion of a passenger rail network. This was championed by the authority's chair and long-time public transport advocate Mike Lee.
In 1993, 19 second-hand railcars were bought from Perth as an interim measure.
In 2009, KiwiRail and Auckland's regional transport agency (ARTA) announced it would start a detailed study into the possibility of an underground route that would link the Britomart rail terminal with the Mount Eden railway station.
The cost of a twin-track tunnel was estimated to be more than $1 billion.
Electrification was announced by a Labour government in May 2007 and confirmed by a National government in 2009.
The first train arrived in 2013 and the first to go into service was on the Onehunga line in April 2014. Electrification extended from Papakura in the south to Swanson in the west, and includes the Onehunga Branch Line and Manukau Rail Link. Trains were powered from a wire held overhead by masts and cantilevers.
In May 2015, electric trains began to run on all of Auckland's lines. The $1.7 billion project included buying 57 232-seat trains bought from Spanish manufacturer CAF.
Auckland's public transport renaissance
Public transport in Auckland is enjoying a renaissance - especially rail - since the introduction of electric trains from 2014.
But it has some catching up to do after a period when public transport was run down and the late 1950s government decision to concentrate on motorways not public transport as the future for transport in Auckland.
In 1939, Auckland’s 72km tram network had more than 80 million passengers a year.
In the year 1950, public transport patronage was 105.5 million trips - amazing when Auckland's population was around 400,000.
Tram tracks were ripped out to be replaced by buses and the growth of the private car.
After the last tram ran in 1956, annual public transport patronage slumped to 66.5 million.
By 1972 public transport patronage was only 42 million trips per year.
NOT APPEALING: Old trains, uncomfortable seats... for years Auckland's limited train service was not attractive
In 1994 there were just over 33 million trips in the year. Stations were also unappealing and often suffering long-time neglect. Prior to Britomart, trains stopped at the Strand in Parnell. Snapshots of stations in 2001 are shown in the video below (no sound).
How quickly we have forgotten what it was like before the new electric trains arrived.
Electrification and station upgrades
This YouTube video below show some of the railway stations in 2009. Some of the trains in use had been refurbished Western Australian trains. Onehunga and Manukau line services were added to Auckland's rail network.
Rail patronage continued to rise, thanks to the rejuvenation of the Auckland rail network and expansion and the boost from the introduction of electric trains.
In 2015, Auckland Transport started rolling out the new electric trains - a completely different experience for Auckland public transport users. This was the Auckland Transport's promotional video for them.
THEY'RE HERE! Finally the Spanish-made electric trains arrive in Auckland pleasing Auckland Mayor Len Brown who made the CRL the number one priority of his mayoralty
GETTING THE CITY MOVING: Former Auckland Mayor Len Brown tries out a new electric train
Incase you missed…
Part 1: The Earliest Days | Part 2: Auckland Harbour Bridge | Part 3: Rapid Rail vs Motorways |