Owned by Tranz Metro Tracks Mainline (1) Fare zone 10 Line(s) North Island Main Trunk | Platforms Single Parking Yes Opened 2 August 1886 Owner Tranz Metro | |
Location Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae, New Zealand Address Waikanae 5036, New Zealand Similar Paraparaumu Railway Station, Otaki Railway Station, Porirua Railway Station, Tawa Railway Station, Kenepuru Railway Station | ||
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.
Contents
Services
The following Metlink bus routes serve Waikanae station:
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. 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. The new service was opened with ceremony on 19 February at Waikanae. 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. 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.
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.
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.