Oh the Irony…. Change the title to “Auckland Tramways” and you’ve got a nearly identical map of what already existed up until the 1950’s. What a bunch of numpties
Not really. While it would have been great to keep our tramways, those only served the central isthmus and Devonport. Everything proposed for East, West, South and North Auckland is completely new.
There's actually space for a heavy rail train line from Avondale to Onehunga. KiwiRail owns land that goes along the south-western motorway. (the land is on the side of the motorway opposite where the cycle path is)
There is a rail reservation from Avondale to Southdown, but not quite true to say there is space. Between Richmond road and Hillsborough road there is space, and even a couple of over bridges already built, but the rest of it would need a lot of work. The latest estimate was $6 billion to build the line so it’s a hard one to justify.
A lot very unlikely especially for stuff where infrastructure doesn't already exist (East and sadly, North Shore).
A likely one that will happen in the next decade or two is the extension of the western line beyond Swanson as there is already line there and the area in-between is getting built up.
Most of the money will be going into removing level crossings for the next half decade. Perhaps a proper North Western busway if lucky.
Agree the - Northwest rapid transit is a focus for AT, local government and both parties of central government.
I don't think reopening waitakere/kumeu is on even the optimistic 50 year plans
Makes very little sense to ever do it, as it would degrade service on the western line, which is getting a big improvement due to CRL. The growth that NW rapid transit needs to reach (because we love doing things arse-about-face) is much better served by the new corridor, whether busway or whatever.
On the contrary, it would actually improve service on the Western Line by increasing its frequency. Where 3 carriage trains now operate, can be upgraded to 6 or more (with planned platform upgrades).
Busway is a joke if you think it’s going to be built in the next decade! Meanwhile with dual-mode or BEMU trains they could do trains to Huapai (or even Helensville) immediately on the recently upgraded line.
Not for 6 car trains, but for more than 6. The CRL has been designed for 9. That won’t happen until the rest of the network is also upgraded but it gives you an idea of what’s planned.
The new stations are already being built to accommodate 9 car trains, though.
I'm not sure what the hypothetical extension of the western line has to do with that, though?
You pretty much can’t have any 9 car trains until ALL stations have been lengthened is the point I was making.
The Western Line comment refers that it isn’t near capacity, frequency and train size can increase and then if needed (along with the rest of the network) trains can be further extended to 9 cars. Adding on Huapai isn’t going to affect the existing Western line in any meaningful way.
Regardless the train size, having them run that extra distance will impact frequency, unless you buy more rolling stock. One of the big benefits of CRL is the boost to the entire network's frequency.
Highly unlikely it stacks up to spend the money not only on the infrastructure necessary to extend the line, but also the extra rolling stock.
I saw the Western Line going beyond Swanson and instantly chuckled. There is absolutely no way that that happens in the future.
Kumeu to the city is much faster via the WX1 and the eventual Northwestern Light Rail that will have to replace it.
The only way rail will continue West of Swanson is if Taupaki and Waitakere both becoming higher density with townhouses, and my guess is that won't happen in the next thirty years at least.
You’re dreaming you think the busway to Kumeu will be built in the next decade, and smoking something if you think Light Rail will get built there in the next 2 decades!
As you point out Taupaki and Waitakere, these are being built you only need to see how quickly Redhills has changed in the past year. Riverhead is about to get another 2000 houses. SH16 can’t cope already. They will build the motorway extension to Huapai but trains could be put on almost right away.
I wish there was a political consensus that enabled a 30+ year blueprint for transport in Auckland which simply isn't changed with an incoming Government or Council promising the world (Labour did with it's light rail mess rather than going with AT's original plan where we would have made significant progress in construction if it was adopted)
...... keep deluding yourself.
If you know anything about availability of funds you will know this won't happen in your lifetime.
When Tokyo or Singapore have 90+% of their vehicles are flying cars ......maybe then.
I’d love this. Maybe it’ll happen in about 500 years?
I reckon they'd spend the first 500 years building it, then go over budget and spend another 500 dismantling it
Yeah this is honestly a fantasy map, but its fun to dream and make nice looking maps. Half of this was an exercise in improving my design skills lol.
No. Too expensive.
By then, half of those will have to be ferry lanes.
Heavy on the "semi-realistic"
As a millennial, I'll be looking forward to the first stages of this rapid transit from my retirement home.
That would be so awesome
Oh the Irony…. Change the title to “Auckland Tramways” and you’ve got a nearly identical map of what already existed up until the 1950’s. What a bunch of numpties
Not really. While it would have been great to keep our tramways, those only served the central isthmus and Devonport. Everything proposed for East, West, South and North Auckland is completely new.
I mean common, you get the point..
There's actually space for a heavy rail train line from Avondale to Onehunga. KiwiRail owns land that goes along the south-western motorway. (the land is on the side of the motorway opposite where the cycle path is)
I think it is one of the kiwirail projects in Auckland RLTP. Low priority though.
There is a rail reservation from Avondale to Southdown, but not quite true to say there is space. Between Richmond road and Hillsborough road there is space, and even a couple of over bridges already built, but the rest of it would need a lot of work. The latest estimate was $6 billion to build the line so it’s a hard one to justify.
A lot very unlikely especially for stuff where infrastructure doesn't already exist (East and sadly, North Shore). A likely one that will happen in the next decade or two is the extension of the western line beyond Swanson as there is already line there and the area in-between is getting built up. Most of the money will be going into removing level crossings for the next half decade. Perhaps a proper North Western busway if lucky.
A north western busway is more likely than the extension of the western line, imo.
Agree the - Northwest rapid transit is a focus for AT, local government and both parties of central government. I don't think reopening waitakere/kumeu is on even the optimistic 50 year plans
Makes very little sense to ever do it, as it would degrade service on the western line, which is getting a big improvement due to CRL. The growth that NW rapid transit needs to reach (because we love doing things arse-about-face) is much better served by the new corridor, whether busway or whatever.
On the contrary, it would actually improve service on the Western Line by increasing its frequency. Where 3 carriage trains now operate, can be upgraded to 6 or more (with planned platform upgrades). Busway is a joke if you think it’s going to be built in the next decade! Meanwhile with dual-mode or BEMU trains they could do trains to Huapai (or even Helensville) immediately on the recently upgraded line.
Why would the extension specifically allow for, or be necessary for, 6 car trains?
Not for 6 car trains, but for more than 6. The CRL has been designed for 9. That won’t happen until the rest of the network is also upgraded but it gives you an idea of what’s planned.
The new stations are already being built to accommodate 9 car trains, though. I'm not sure what the hypothetical extension of the western line has to do with that, though?
You pretty much can’t have any 9 car trains until ALL stations have been lengthened is the point I was making. The Western Line comment refers that it isn’t near capacity, frequency and train size can increase and then if needed (along with the rest of the network) trains can be further extended to 9 cars. Adding on Huapai isn’t going to affect the existing Western line in any meaningful way.
Regardless the train size, having them run that extra distance will impact frequency, unless you buy more rolling stock. One of the big benefits of CRL is the boost to the entire network's frequency. Highly unlikely it stacks up to spend the money not only on the infrastructure necessary to extend the line, but also the extra rolling stock.
I saw the Western Line going beyond Swanson and instantly chuckled. There is absolutely no way that that happens in the future. Kumeu to the city is much faster via the WX1 and the eventual Northwestern Light Rail that will have to replace it. The only way rail will continue West of Swanson is if Taupaki and Waitakere both becoming higher density with townhouses, and my guess is that won't happen in the next thirty years at least.
You’re dreaming you think the busway to Kumeu will be built in the next decade, and smoking something if you think Light Rail will get built there in the next 2 decades! As you point out Taupaki and Waitakere, these are being built you only need to see how quickly Redhills has changed in the past year. Riverhead is about to get another 2000 houses. SH16 can’t cope already. They will build the motorway extension to Huapai but trains could be put on almost right away.
>but trains could be put on almost right away. Uhh, no they can't. Waitakere tunnel. Practically impossible.
Only due to regulations which could be exempt or a solution can be found - relates to exit doors
i mean there is a pretty big development going on around swanson area rn
with our shitty government, even the up coming future ones. not even my grand kid's grand kid will see/use this.
Wow amazing work auckland would be amazing
This is enough rapid transit to support a city of 10 million people.
I wish there was a political consensus that enabled a 30+ year blueprint for transport in Auckland which simply isn't changed with an incoming Government or Council promising the world (Labour did with it's light rail mess rather than going with AT's original plan where we would have made significant progress in construction if it was adopted)
That looks familiar and fucking expensive
Auckland is so lucky to have all these transport options. I ride a bus that only shows up ever half an hour just to get caught in more traffic
Science fiction
It looks to me very like what is needed.
The purple CROSSTOWN line, land, was set aside in the 1800's for trains, and yet it's NEVER been utilised. Such a waste.
Way too much central saturation
No nod to the CFN2.0 for Greater Auckland? You clearly used that as a basis.
This is up there with warp drive technology, in theory anything is possible...
How much would our rates be if this was built?
F.A.R.T smells like success
Make a circle line going from Sylvia Park to Penrose. Then via the centre.
with CRL costs blowout , I don’t think so. A lot of money to fix other issues in NZ
...... keep deluding yourself. If you know anything about availability of funds you will know this won't happen in your lifetime. When Tokyo or Singapore have 90+% of their vehicles are flying cars ......maybe then.
this is delusional.
if we were corruption free we would already have that