By Torika Tokalau, Local Democracy Reporter
Trains will arrive to Pukekohe in 2025, serving six-car trains with an option to extend them to nine-car trains in the future. Photo: LDR/Phil Doyle/Stuff
The schedule for a newly-opened, revamped train station in south Auckland is being finalised before trains return early next year.
According to Auckland Transport, trains will start operating at the Pukekohe Train Station from 3 February 2025.
KiwiRail said this would start from as early as 5.10am on weekdays and 6.10am on weekends and holidays.
Franklin Ward councillor Andy Baker said in a statement that residents had been hanging out for the return of services.
"It's been a long time coming," Baker said.
Commuters would be able to catch the train from Pukekohe every 20 minutes, until 7pm, when they move to run to a half-hour schedule.
KiwiRail said the final timetables were still being worked on, but it was envisaged the last train to depart Britomat to Pukekohe would be around 10pm on Sunday, 10.30pm on Friday, and midnight on Saturday.
"At this time of year you turn around and it's Christmas, and the January return of services will be just around the corner," Baker said.
Pukekohe Train Station has been closed since 2022 for a revamp, part of KiwiRail's $419 million extension of the Auckland network.
A new platform layout was built to accommodate longer trains. Once open, platforms would serve six-car trains with an option to extend them to nine-car trains in the future.
New structures were installed to support the overhead lines and the track layout was changed to allow for trains to pass easily and safely through the station area.
A new stabling yard has also been built for the new electric trains.
The Pukekohe Train Station re-opened in August.
"The reward for all that disruption will be a modern efficient service that runs at a higher speed, no swapping at Papakura and obviously saying 'good-bye' to lengthy commutes that tie so many of us up on the motorway," Baker said.
He said the timetables associated with the operation of the Central Rail Loop would be another significant improvement to the city's public transport network when they come into effect.
Other south Auckland train stations under development, like Paerata, had earthworks underway for the rail bridge retaining wall, with main construction imminent.
At Drury, early earthworks have taken place, including installation of 279 concrete piles.
Construction of the Drury station was expected to start before the end of the year.
At Ngakoroa, communications were expected to begin with neighbours in the coming months.
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames said buses would remain as trains return.
"We have asked that buses complement the restoration of train services and Auckland Transport says they are being timed to meet the new services, often with increased frequency," Fulljames said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.