Auckland Regional Council wants Kiwirail to take over more of its suburban network and to move in as soon as July in order to secure several major projects.
The idea comes in the wake of the Government's decision to scrap a regional fuel tax that would have part-funded major Auckland rail projects.
The regional council says its hastily re-drawn 10-year budget is based on Kiwirail taking ownership of new diesel trains.
Council chair, Mike Lee, says officials continue to negotiate the future of those projects which were previously to be council funded.
Kiwirail will pay for new electric trains but the ARC says the rail company should also take over new diesel trains and the flagship Newmarket, New Lynn and Manukau station projects.
