Hamiltonians disappointed the new rail service to Auckland will stop at Papakura are being asked to be patient.
Around $92 million in funding has been approved for the service, which will launch next year.
"We know more and more people are commuting between Hamilton and Auckland, and this service will give them a real choice between being stuck in traffic or relaxing on the train," Transport Minister Phil Twyford said on Friday.
Hamilton City Council growth and Infrastructure committee chairman Dave Macpherson says it has been far from a smooth ride to get there.
"We've had to redo applications to NZTA on more than one occasion. They've asked us to redo our passenger survey."
He admits the rail line between the city and Auckland will have its flaws - mainly that it only goes to Papakura, where passengers will have to transfer to the Auckland public transport system.
"Our aim is to ultimately get the train all the way into Britomart. We're determined to get this started, get people to start using rail as a reasonable alternative."
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Macpherson says the long-term goal is having a rapid service to Auckland central, before the super city's legendary gridlock spills over into Hamilton.
"We've measured the growth of congestion on the Southern Motorway at the southern end of Auckland, and it's been growing more than a kilometre a year."
The service from Hamilton's Frankton will have stops at The Base in the city's north and Huntly. Future stops may include Te Kauwhata, Tuakau and fast-growing Pokeno.
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