Otaki TodayThe announcement by two regional councils confirming it was co-funding new trains for the Palmerston North-Wellington line offered no guarantee they would be hybrid electric.
The trains to be purchased might still be diesel, if the price is right. And they won’t be running for at least four-and-a-half years, as revealed by Ōtaki Today in May last year when the previous government announced the train and line upgrade.
Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils said in a statement on July 25 they were co-funding the purchase of 18 four-car trains and associated infrastructure for the lower North Island. An upgrade on the Wairarapa line is included.
An artist’s impression of what the new trains might look like.
Photo supplied
Procurement of the new trains is being managed by Greater Wellington, which has approved a short-list of three suppliers. They have been asked to submit a proposal to design, build and maintain the trains over 35 years.
The companies are Alstom Rail Transportation NZ, Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, and Stadler Bussnang of Switzerland.
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says the two councils’ preference is to acquire hybrid trains, “but we’ll consider other propulsion methods like diesel during the procurement process”.
“All three companies have experience building hybrid trains and supplying the New Zealand rail industry,” he said.
The councils said the deal would lead to the doubling of peak-time passenger services on both rail lines. What that means for Ōtaki is that instead of one commuter service a day with the Capital Connection, there will be two.
That’s little comfort for Ōtaki commuters, many of whom have been for years driving a few kilometres down the road to Waikanae where they can catch any of the regular half-hourly electric trains.
The new trains will, of course, offer greater comfort, quicker travel and a more reliable service. However, more will be needed if there’s to be credibility in the claim that the trains will “enhance regional development”.
“By improving commuter connections to Wellington, Palmerston North and Masterton, the new trains will support and sustain growth in the Wairarapa, Kāpiti, Horowhenua and Manawatū,” Daran said.
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell said the trains would help to reduce road congestion.
“The trains will assist more people to live in our regions by making it easier to access work, education and recreation in urban centres.”
With big population growth expected in the next few years, Ōtaki might have good reason to feel it’s not getting a fair deal. It’s the only town in the Greater Wellington region to have only one train service a day, and the prospects for significant improvement still seem elusive.
The new trains will replace the existing 50-year-old fleet of carriages that are coming to the end of their working lives.
The contract to build and maintain the trains is due to be awarded in early 2025, with the new trains expected to begin operations from 2029.
The co-funding agreement includes finance for a maintenance depot in Masterton, and station improvements.
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