The Hamilton to Auckland commuter train is tipped to have a new and improved service when it returns to the track in October. Te Huia has been parked up since the country went into Covid-19 Alert Level 4, and has remained unused due to people not being allowed to cross the Waikato/Auckland border. \
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However, Waikato Regional Council chairman Russ Rimmington is confident service will resume in October with Labour Weekend earmarked as the train’s return and normal daily function to continue after that. \
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Te Huia has $85.8 million of funding from the Government. Local authorities provided $12.2 million for the train which can seat up to 147 people and entered service in April 2021.
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With its impending resumption, Te Huia should be allowed into The Strand in central Auckland, before the latest Covid outbreak the service stopped at Papakura. \
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There is also a plan for it to stop at Puhinui, so people can then catch a shuttle to nearby Auckland Airport. \
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Rimmington said they are in negotiation with a number of interested parties like KiwiRail and Auckland Transport on confirming their slot into Auckland. \
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“I am really excited about the co-operation we are receiving to get into Auckland, it might not be a lot in it for Auckland Council, but I think for the bigger scheme of things and for the future of Te Huia, and future of commuter rail in New Zealand, this is what New Zealand’s watching. \
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“This is the breakthrough that we always planned, and it’s coming a little ahead of time, and this will be the turning point of the service and Te Huia, and I am confident that it will be a huge success.” \
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Waikato Regional Council’s public transport manager Andrew Wilson said the improvements will be implemented in phases. \
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“The first being the Covid restart which will be a reconfigured timetable but all services going to and from The Strand, which is a major improvement with current services terminating at Papakura. \
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“We are very close to access at Puhinui Station, so we expect that will happen in early 2022, it’s just pending a ticket installation at that station,” Wilson said. \
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He also hopes that early next year they hope to enable some additional morning and afternoon departures, which will also include weekends. \
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*This article was originally published on 20 September 2021 on* [](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/kiwi-property-plans-540-build-to-rent-apartments-at-sylvia-park-lynnmall/XI56FHXNZXGKCXUWW7QLRBSF3I/)*[Stuff](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/126524298/te-huia-is-returning-to-the-track-with-scheduling-improvements).*
