The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is concerned the Hamilton to Auckland train service is financially and environmentally worse than driving.

A report for the chamber shows per trip driving costs $48 compared to $294 on Te Huia which includes the $12 fare and a $282 subsidy.

Based on the assumption of one person per vehicle, carbon emissions are 20kg per person driving and 31.5kg per person on the train.

Chamber Chief Executive Don Good told Mike Hosking it will likely become a topic in local body elections this year.

“I would suggest to them that they’ve got this year to make it happen, after which some very strong questions need to be asked.”

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