The report which spurred Auckland Transport's decision to rule out heavy rail between the city centre and Auckland Airport is "deeply flawed" advocates say. The report estimated travel time from Britomart to the airport via heavy rail at 39 to 42 minutes and via light rail at 42 and 44 minutes. "If light rail was to be used, it would be restricted to travelling at the same speed as traffic - 50km/h - 40 per cent of the way. He also believed passenger catchment analysis was flawed with light rail catchment including Sandringham Rd residents and heavy rail catchment excluding people using the western line who could link with trains to the airport. The Airport needed a decision made on whether that would be light rail, heavy rail or bus, within the next year or two, as it planned a new terminal that would incorporate a station.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 30, 2016 12:00 UTC