The future of Tāmaki Makaurau's iconic Wynyard Quarter tram is up in the air as Auckland Council prepares to vote on its future as part of the Wynyard Quarter development.
The tram, which was first opened in 2011, was installed as a way to attract visitors to the area and showcase the waterfront's past and the plans for future development.
The tram runs on Sundays and during public holiday weekends with an average passenger count of 171 passengers.
Its stabling sheds occupy a site called West 2 that developer group Willis Bond is planning on developing into a number of apartments from mid-2023.
The Eke Panuku Board is seeking to end the operation of the 1.5km tram loop from late 2022 and Auckland Council will be presented with four options around the future of the tram.
The options that the council will consider include:
- Integration of the tram shed into the planned West 2 development
- Closing the line down completely with MOTAT taking on the equipment
- Move the existing tram shed to a new location within the existing loop
- Extend the tram line out and move the stabling shed to a new location on Wynyard Point
Followers of the tram on social media have contacted Auckland councillors expressing their disappointment in the proposed plans and have even offered alternative plans for the future of the tram loop.
Auckland Council will consider the proposal put forward by Eke Panuku on November 4.
