Long-awaited train service between Waikato and Auckland begins

After years in the making, a new commuter service between Waikato and Auckland is finally underway, RNZ reports. The Te Huia service pulled out of Hamilton for the first time Tuesday morning, kickstarting a facility that will run twice each weekday morning, and back again in the late afternoon and evening. The $90 million train service is on a five-year trial and includes trips on selected Saturdays, which will be free for SuperGold card holders. It is estimated the trains will remove up to 73,000 return car trips between the two cities annually.