Mayor of Auckland & 25 November 2015 Ben Ross View.of.auckland@gmail.com Dear Mr Ross MANUKAU SOUTH RAIL LINK Thank you for your email of 28 October 2015 in which you request that funding for construction of the Manukau South Rail Link be included in the 2016/17 Annual Plan. ‘Auckland Transport (AT) has undertaken a review of the technical and operational feasibility of a direct rail connection south from the Manukau Rail Line (MRL). | have attached a brief summary of the findings of AT’s review. Unfortunately, the conclusion of that review is that, while a southern connection is technically feasible, it would be complex and expensive to construct. Further, it would have a major negative impact on the operation, reliability and performance of the Auckland rail network as ‘a whole and would mean that the operation of Newmarket and Britomart stations would need to be adjusted to fit with Wiri junction. In addition, itis highly likely that journey times would need to be extended across the network to make any timetable work reliably. AT does not therefore recommend any further investigation of a southern rail connection from the MRL. While this conclusion is obviously very disappointing, as you note the implementation of the new bus southern network in 2016 will provide significantly improved connections to Manukau. While direct services are always more attractive for users, rail services currently provide a viable option with interchange at Puhinui, and I note that Puhinui station is currently undergoing an upgrade with the provision of new shelters, canopies and passenger information displays which will improve the situation for transferring passengers. Yours sincerely Alison Grant Correspondence Manager OFFICE OF THE MAYOR ‘OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND ‘Auckland Council Level 27,135 Alber St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand Private Bag 92300, Welesley st, Auckland 1142, New Zealand ¥: 4649307 0101,MANUKAU SOUTHERN RAIL CONNECTION REVIEW - SUMMARY OF FINDINGS A southem link to provide direct services between Manukau and Papakura would need to ‘connect to the North Island Main truck (NIMT) at Wiri junction, and a double track connection would be required. Wiri junction has a complex track layout which provides for passenger services between Papakura and Britomart and Manukau and Britomart, access to and from the EMU depot, freight services to and from the south, and access for freight to the Ports of Auckland (POAL) Wiri depot. To add to the existing complexity, the first stage of the proposed Third Main to Otahuhu will also connect to the mainline at Wiri junction. The plan below illustrates the complexity of the junction. | " [[lfrvture seo tinny DEPOT NORTH!) END ARRIVAL ee | Aq) KtwiRent 4 RICD MANUKAU CONNECTION The addition of a direct southbound connection from the MRL would add significant additional complexity. To operate direct passenger services between Manukau and Papakura together with existing passenger and freight services would result in nine timetable interactions at Wiri junction as illustrated below. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND ‘Auckland Councl, Level 27,135 Alber St, ucland 1010, New Zealand vate Bag 92300, Wellesley St, Aucand 1142, New Zealand 1.4649 301 0701WIRI JUNCTION TRACK LAYOUT WITH SOUTHERN RAIL CONNECTION south iron Es To manage these interactions and operate a reliable service would require the following: + Two track connection MRL - NIMT * One track grade separated connection NIMT-MRL northbound — 500m in tunnel due to the motorway * Construction of the full Third Main between Papakura and Otahuhu * Relocation of the POAL Wir freight depot + Additional EMUs. ‘The construction of the operating timetable for the Auckland rail network would need to commence from Wiri junction, that is the operation of Britomart and Newmarket would need to be adjusted to fit with Wiri junction. In addition, it is highly likely that journey times would need to be extended across the network to make any such timetable work reliably. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND. ‘Auckland Counclt Level 27,135 Albert St, Auckland 1070, New Zealand Private Bag 92300, Wellesley St, Aucland 1742, New Zealand T: 4649307 0101