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A siting of the proposed Manukau City rail terminal at Hayman Park would be a recipe for a muggers paradise says George Hawkins, MP for Manurewa.

"This can't be justified on the basis of the park becoming a university site because it is highly unlikely that a Government of any political persuasion will opt at this point for a new university in Manukau, or anywhere else.

"Without it, or other attractive urban development in the immediate area, the station would be little more than an attraction for louts, taggers and trouble makers. Most people in the community would not want to walk there after dark. Even during the day it is too far for convenience from the city centre.

"A station at Hayman Park would represent an invitation for people to use their cars rather than switch to rail. It would be more convenient to take your car into the parking that exists in the city centre than catch a train to Hayman Park and walk one kilometre to the centre.

"The rail spur should either finish with a station at the city centre, be part of a loop from the southern line to the airport or be dropped altogether to save $70 million of expenditure, which in the current economic climate is difficult to justify.

"I understand Auckland Regional Transport Authority may soon introduce special express bus services from the city centre to the airport and from the city centre to Auckland, connecting the two CBDs. These should cater well for both commuters and casual travellers."

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