The Waikato Regional Council is defending a decision not to include a Hamilton to Auckland rail service in its latest transport programme.
The lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, says the council needs to act fast if it wants to lease some of the Silver Fern railcars which will become available for use in July.
The deputy chair of the council's land transport committee, Paula Southgate, says the rail service was going to be explored as a part of their land transport strategy next year.
Ms Southgate says the council has been researching the idea since the announcement about the availability of the Silver Fern railcars in late 2008, but it needs time to complete a business case report, and consult with stakeholders.