$802.9 Million Investment in Lower North Island Rail to Boost Reliability and Service

Minister Brown affirmed that the Government is dedicated to investing in public transport infrastructure to support local councils in delivering the necessary services for New Zealanders.

The Coalition Government is committing $802.9 million to enhance rail services on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines, in a major funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils. This investment aims to provide more reliable and efficient transport options for commuters in the lower North Island, according to Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

Key aspects of the project include:

Fleet Upgrade: Introduction of 18 new 4-car train units, totaling 72 cars.

Service Expansion: Doubling of peak services and additional off-peak services on both lines.

Travel Time Reduction: 15-minute decrease in travel time between Wellington and Masterton.

Increased Speed: Upgrading the speed on the Wairarapa line from 90 to 110 kilometers per hour.

Minister Brown emphasized that this initiative is a priority for the Government, which campaigned on improving public transport through the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Programme (LNIRIM). The programme aims to enhance service reliability, offer more travel choices, and reduce road congestion.

The current fleet, consisting of aging locomotives, is nearing the end of its operational life and requires replacement. This investment will modernize the fleet and upgrade existing infrastructure to provide a more dependable service for commuters, boosting productivity and economic growth.

In addition to this project, Budget 2024 allocates $266.9 million to upgrade and maintain the metropolitan rail networks in Auckland and Wellington, and $200 million for KiwiRail to perform maintenance and renewals on the national rail network. The Government is also reviewing the Metropolitan Rail Operating Model (MROM) to create a sustainable funding model for metropolitan rail services, ensuring a reliable and efficient public transport network for New Zealanders.

Minister Brown affirmed that the Government is dedicated to investing in public transport infrastructure to support local councils in delivering the necessary services for New Zealanders.