Helensville commuter link to be cut

Helensville will be left without a commuter rail link to Auckland again, amid recriminations over a failed trial costing an average $45.72c for each passenger.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority says the link, restored 16 months ago after a 28-year drought, will be cut before Christmas after carrying about 18 city-bound passengers a day.

Auckland Regional Council sought the trial after a rail boom everywhere else on the region's rail network.

But despite the gloomy financial picture on the 30km section between Waitakere and Helensville, the council has asked staff to investigate reinstating services early next year to Huapai or Waimauku.

That is to cater for their development as regional "growth nodes" and to make some use of $1.25 million invested in station infrastructure for the trial.

The authority reported to the council's transport committee yesterday that the Helensville link - carrying one and a half return services daily to Britomart - drew an operating subsidy of 99c a kilometre per passenger. That compared with 11c for Pukekohe services and a regional average of 29c.

Norwest Rail Support Group chair Scott Osmond said the trial was a farce, after the authority ignored advice that one daily return service - leaving too early for some and heading back too late for others - would not work.

He said it took "a stab in the dark" without ascertaining travel needs.

Authority spokesman Sharon Hunter insisted community advice on a preferred timetable was followed.

Committee chairwoman Christine Rose also blamed disrupted services, and poor support by rail operator Veolia for passengers left stranded too many times, for destroying patronage.

Regional chairman Mike Lee said Helensville said he was disappointed the trial had come up short.

But councillor Joel Cayford said the transport authority had advised against starting the trial, warning it was unwise to spread limited resources too thinly before ensuring core services were running properly.