Locals not on board with railway plans

May 30, 2017

Locals not on board with railway plans

Artist's impression of the new Pukekohe station. Photo: AT.govt.nz.

Construction is underway at the Pukekohe train station with promises of a new car park and better bus services – but commuters have voiced their doubts.

The $15 million upgrade is due to be completed by the end of 2017. The plans show a new overbridge will be constructed, along with public toilets, 24-hour CCTV and 87 car parks.

The proposal has received mixed reviews from locals on social media – while some are satisfied with the station upgrade, the number of proposed car parks has been drawing criticism.

Pukekohe resident Margaret Vickers uses the train regularly and told Te Waha Nui she was concerned about the proposed number of car parks.

“They want to discourage people from driving to the station and use the bus, but the services are very unreliable.

"A few weeks ago I caught the 9.30 bus home but it didn’t show up. I was left stranded at the station, in the dark, and the bus never came. It made me feel very scared and vulnerable, and unfortunately this wasn’t the first time it had happened.”

The Pukekohe bus loop was stage one of the project and was launched last October.

Mrs Vickers said while it was handy it was not an option for everyone.

“We still have a lot of farms around Pukekohe, many commuters come from as far away as Awhitu or Glenbrook to use the train [and] there aren’t buses for them. They need those car parks.”

The MP for Hunua, Andrew Bayly said the rebuild was a step in the right direction in making Pukekohe more connected, but agreed there were some concerns.

“This station has needed an upgrade for a long time so it’s good to see it going ahead, but there are not enough car parks. Pukekohe will be having a lot of growth over the next six years and it’s definitely not enough.”

Auckland Transport media advisor James Ireland said he was not aware of any complaints regarding the car parks.

“I don’t know very much about the construction, but I would expect it’s all looking good and running to schedule.”

Mr Ireland said he wasn’t sure how many of the car parks would be for disabled drivers.

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