Waikato Regional Council have voted to endorse the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service's business case.

Waikato Regional Council has endorsed the business case to create a passenger rail service from Hamilton to Auckland.

In a packed meeting with representatives from the Hamilton City Council, NZTA, Kiwi Rail and central government, councillors voted in favour of the plan by 11-1.

Councillors Jennie Hayman and Fred Lichtwark​ were absent from the meeting while Cr Jane Hennebry was the only councillor who voted against it.

The business case would see a passenger rail service running between the two cites starting in March 2020.

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In the discussion prior to the vote, regional transport committee chairman Hugh Vercoe made a plea for councillors to endorse the case.

Vercoe said it was clear that the Auckland to Hamilton expressway was not going to solve the transport issues when travelling between the two cities because of increasing congestion. He said it had become clear that the only way to solve those issues was rail.

"What you are seeing today is the first stage of a long term vision."

Pokeno and Te Kauwhata were "growing like mad" and the corridor between the two cities was about to get heavily populated. Transport was a critical area in making it successful and the rail service would be the starting point.

While the financial costs were high, Vercoe said the service's infrastructure would last for 50 years.

"It's not a waste of money. It's putting together the infrastructure that would make this happen," Vercoe said.

Cr Russ Rimmington said the proposal had come at the right time with new leadership in central and local government which supported public transport.

"This is a momentous day and those who support it will be delighted as the train passes the gridlock in Auckland. You can say to your grandchildren, 'I was there on that special day and supported this transport and this rail between Hamilton and Auckland'."

He said the rail service was a small step and he predicted the service would only grow in the years to come.

Cr Barry Quayle said the service was the start of a vision for an essential transport corridor.

"If we don't start now, it will have been too late."

However Cr Hennebry, said its risks around ratepayer affordability outweighed the benefits.

"I'm looking at the risks and personally, I see too many."

Hennebry agreed that solutions were needed to resolve transport issues between Hamilton and Auckland and supported an earlier concept that would have seen an electrified train service extended from Auckland to Pokeno.

"Yes it's visionary, but I have seen visionary projects before. They never end, they are just a continual rate payer funding of this.

"I also wish you luck and I'm hoping that it's a success. I truly hope it is and I'll have to eat my hat...and I'm prepared to."

The Waikato District Council will vote to endorse the business case on November 28 and the Hamilton City Council on December 6. From there, it will go to the NZTA board who will vote whether to approve funding on December 14.