Waikanae railway station
Waikanae | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Metlink suburban rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 40°52′36″S 175°03′58″E / 40.87667°S 175.06611°ECoordinates: 40°52′36″S 175°03′58″E / 40.87667°S 175.06611°E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owned by | Tranz Metro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | North Island Main Trunk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | Single | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | Mainline (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fare zone | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 2 August 1886 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrified | 20 February 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Waikanae railway station in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand is the terminal station on the Kapiti Line for Metlink's electric multiple unit commuter trains from Wellington. The railway is part of the North Island Main Trunk line that connects Wellington and Auckland.
Services
The following Metlink bus routes serve Waikanae station:
- 280: Waikanae Beach
- 290: Otaki Beach
- 285: Kapiti Commuter service to Wellington (commercially operated)
History
The station was opened in 1886, and was on the Wellington-Manawatu Line from Wellington to Longburn built by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). The section was opened on 3 November 1886 at Otaihanga.[1] The railway has been part of the North Island Main Trunk (connecting Wellington and Auckland) since 1908.
The Wellington suburban electrified commuter service was extended from Paraparaumu to Waikanae on 20 February 2011.[2] The new service was opened with ceremony on 19 February at Waikanae.[3] Minister of Transport Steven Joyce and Otaki MP Nathan Guy drove the last spike. Guy's great-grandfather was chairman of the WMR when the last spike was driven in 1886.[4] The ceremony was marked by protests against the proposed Kapiti Expressway, and Otaki-based list MP Darren Hughes was cheered for his opposition to the project in favour of rail investment.[4]
The Paraparaumu and Waikanae stations were upgraded at a cost of more than $1 million each in 2010-2011. Upgrading of the original Waikanae station, rather than moving it south of Elizabeth Street or providing a road underpass, was criticized locally on the grounds that frequent closing of the Elizabeth Street level crossing south of the station would increase traffic congestion in Waikanae.[5]
Today
The station is currently (in 2016) used by electric commuter trains and a diesel-hauled long distance commuter train, the Capital Connection, that runs between Wellington and Palmerston North. Freight trains also pass by the station. Local bus services originate and terminate at the station.
References
- ↑ Hoy, D.G. Rails out of the Capital (NZRLS, 1970) pp. 40,120
- ↑
- ↑ See video of opening
- 1 2 Kay Blundell (21 February 2011). "Protesters in force as rail opens". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ↑ Kapiti Observer 7 December 2009 page 3