Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Service type | Commuter rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operating | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Lower North Island, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | 15 April 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | KiwiRail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former operator(s) | Cityrail (1991–1995) Tranz Metro (1995–2001) Tranz Scenic (1995–?) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ridership | 185,472 trips (2008–2009) [1] 159,641 (2011–2012) [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/northern-explorer/book/other-services/capital-connection/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | Palmerston North Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 136 km (85 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 2 hours, 6 minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | One service each way daily (Mon-Fri) No service Sat, Sun, and Public Holidays | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seating arrangements | Airline-style Alcove with table | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | On-board café | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baggage facilities | Overhead racks Baggage carriage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | New Zealand DF class locomotives S class carriages (ex-British Rail Mark 2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter train operated by KiwiRail between Palmerston North and the capital city of Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk. [3]
In 2018, the service faced funding issues, but the Government ensured that the service would continue, with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA, otherwise known as Waka Kotahi) and regional councils investing in subsidies and the replenishment of rolling stock. [4] [5] [6]
The modernisation and replacement of the service has been included in Horizons' 2021–2031 Regional Land Transport Plan. The service would be replaced by a modern and more frequent service with a larger train fleet. [7]
The service started on Monday 15 April 1991 as the Cityrail Express, with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North – Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides.
Concerns were raised that once the Kapiti Line services were extended north from Paraparaumu to Waikanae, the Capital Connection would lose passengers. In 2010, KiwiRail stated it would consider changes after evaluating what impact the metro system has on the Capital Connection's patronage. [8] The extension to Waikanae was opened in 2011. By July 2012 the future of the service seemed to be very uncertain. [9] KiwiRail announced it would make a decision on the service in August 2012. Patronage dropped by 26,000 trips per annum (from 185,472 trips in the 2008–09 financial year [1] to 159,641 in the 2011–12 financial year.) [2]
The Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Horowhenua District Council proposed partial funding but needed the NZTA to agree to continue the service. NZTA's public transport funding criteria require that a service must reduce traffic on a congested road. [10] In August 2012 Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council) proposed a business case for a subsidy which was evaluated by NZTA. [2]
The business case argued that:
In March 2013, the Member of Parliament for Palmerston North, Iain Lees-Galloway, presented a petition of 2,000 signatures supporting the service at a parliamentary select committee hearing. [11] In May 2014 he said that he was not surprised at the drop in patronage following a fare rise. [12]
In April 2013, KiwiRail said to keep the service operating, it would have increased ticket prices by 40 percent, and have at least 61 passengers on board in each direction. But it only increased fares by 10% from May. [13]
On 1 July 2015, KiwiRail confirmed, that funding had been approved by Horizons Regional Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council signing off their Long Term plans, including a subsidy for the service for another three years. KiwiRail Scenic Journeys said there would be maintenance and repairs for each of the carriages, at staggered intervals over the next 12 months, to improve the service.
In 2016, it was reported patronage on the service had increased for the first time in three years. [14]
Proposals to improve the service have been made throughout the train's life. This includes one by Palmerston North City Councillor Chris Teo-Sherrell to terminate the service in Waikanae to connect to the Kapiti Tranz Metro services, and another by Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith to double the daily frequency. [15] [16] Neither of these proposals were adopted.
From 1991, the train was operated by New Zealand Rail suburban passenger division CityRail, which was re-branded Tranz Metro in 1995 when New Zealand Rail itself was rebranded Tranz Rail. In 2001, with the partial sale of Tranz Scenic (the long-distance passenger division of Tranz Rail), the company sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services (which remained in Wellington under Tranz Metro), operation of the train was transferred to Tranz Scenic. KiwiRail is the current operator of the service.
The train operates Monday to Friday from Palmerston North to Wellington in the morning, returning in the evening. The service stops at 5 stations within the Wellington and Manawatū-Whanganui regions.
On Sunday 19 June 1994, a weekend service from Palmerston North to Wellington and return started. The power/baggage van, catering car and 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car (ex Masterton) made up the consist. It attracted minimal patronage and was withdrawn later that year.
In 2019, the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) proposed replacing the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection trains with 15 four-car bi-mode multiple units by 2025. These trains are estimated to cost $415 million. [17] [18]
The "infrastructure spendup" announced on 30 January 2020 included some upgrading of the present rolling stock but not the proposed hybrid trains (see New Zealand Upgrade Programme). [19]
For the future of KiwiRail's regional passenger rail services, the Capital Connection and Te Huia (2022) see: [20]
The 2021–2031 Horizons Regional Land Transport Plan recognised the importance of the service to the region and the environment. It also stated that the service, carriages and locomotives would need to be upgraded if it was to continue operating past 2025. The Plan also provides for higher frequency of trains, utilising a larger fleet of trains and updated stations. The Plan states that buses may be able to connect regional towns to this upgraded service. A detailed business case is being created to analyse any improvements. [21]
The Horizons Plan also noted that KiwiRail is investigating an inter-regional connector service, which would connect districts to urban services. Horizons note that there is opportunity to create a Whanganui – Palmerston North train service akin to this inter-regional proposal. [22]
The service's rolling stock was refurbished in 2022/2023 at the Hutt Workshops. The carriages left the workshop on 22 February 2023 for Palmerston North. The new set includes six S class coaches, refurbished in a Suburban Regional (SR) style similar to Te Huia (including SR5968), and a refurbished baggage carriage (AG176).
The service began using standard NZR 56-foot carriages: the first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin seat covers.
Later, a former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton – Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars.
On Monday 15 November 1999, a new train entered service, made up of seven (later eight) British Rail Mark 2 cars and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power and baggage van, with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and more spacious inside, with more headroom, full air-conditioning, 60 seats per car (28 in the servery car), and twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and airline-style, using their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. Since October 2016, fire suppressed DFB class locomotives have been assigned to the service.
They have been repainted from Tranz Scenic standard "Cato blue" into Capital Connection livery. The S cars made their last journey to Palmerston North on 28 July 2023. The SR carriages took over from Monday 31st.
12 former Maxx /Auckland Transport SA class used on the Auckland Suburban network have been relocated from storage in Tauramanui. They are currently being refurbished to a similar design of the new Te Huia Hamilton to Auckland train under the Upgrade New Zealand Programme. The 12 refurbished carriages will enter service in 2022. [23] with component delivery delays, now mid 2023. A near complete and painted overhauled carriage SR6010 was shown to journalists. The S cars have now been withdrawn from service.
The S class consist of carriages was retired 30 July 2023 and replaced the next day by SR class on the Capital Connection.
Class | BR type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
SRG | 2F TSO | 6026 | Generator Car. Former Auckland SD driving/generator carriage |
SRG | 2F TSO | 6182 | Generator Car. Former Auckland SD driving/generator carriage |
SRC | 2F TSO | 6159 | Café carriage, Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 5784 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 5968 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 5975 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 6010 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 6011 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 6025 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 6123 | Former Auckland SA |
SR | 2F TSO | 6172 | Former Auckland SA |
In 2019, the GWRC proposed replacing in 2025 the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection trains with 15 four-car dual-mode multiple units, to operate from overhead power from Wellington to Upper Hutt or an on-board power source north of Upper Hutt; to cost $415 million. [24] [25]
In 2022 a business case for extending the Kapiti Line as far as Levin was pushed for by transport minister Michael Wood; adding an extra 35 km to the line to (or past) Ōtaki. [26] In 2023 it was announced that 18 four-car trains will be built for Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa lines. [27]
Rail transport in New Zealand is an integral part of New Zealand's transport network, with a nationwide network of 4,375.5 km (2,718.8 mi) of track linking most major cities in the North and South Islands, connected by inter-island rail and road ferries. Rail transport in New Zealand has a particular focus on bulk freight exports and imports, with 19 million net tonnes moved by rail annually, accounting for more than half of rail revenue.
Tranz Metro was a New Zealand public transport operator. Beginning as the New Zealand Railways Corporation's Cityline division as a result of restructuring in the 1980s, in its final form Tranz Metro was the operator of Metlink's suburban trains owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.
Public transport in the Wellington Region, branded under the name Metlink, is the public transport system serving Wellington and its surrounding region. It is the most used public transport system in New Zealand per capita, and consists of electric and diesel buses, suburban trains, ferries and a funicular. It also included trams until 1964, and trolleybuses until 2017.
Transdev Auckland, formerly Veolia Transport Auckland, and Connex Auckland was a subsidiary of Transdev Australasia that ran Auckland's urban passenger trains under contract from Auckland Transport on infrastructure owned and managed by KiwiRail. Auckland Transport receives funding to subsidise these services from the NZ Transport Agency, which receives funding from road user taxes and Crown appropriations, and from the Auckland Council through rates.
Wellington railway station, Wellington Central station, or simply Wellington station, is the main railway station serving Wellington, New Zealand, and is the southern terminus of the North Island Main Trunk, Wairarapa Line and Johnsonville Line.
The TranzAlpine is a passenger train operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail in the South Island of New Zealand over the Midland Line; often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres (139 mi) one-way, taking almost five hours. There are 16 tunnels and four viaducts, with the Staircase Viaduct elevated as much as 75 metres (246 ft).
The Overlander was a long-distance rail passenger train between Auckland and Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand, along the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT). It was operated by Tranz Scenic. The service was replaced from 25 June 2012, by the Northern Explorer.
The New Zealand EM/ET class electric multiple units were used on suburban services in Wellington, New Zealand from 1982 to 2016. They were owned initially by the New Zealand Railways Corporation and finally by the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and operated by Tranz Metro, part of national railway operator KiwiRail.
The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train that runs between Picton and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. It is operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail. It was called the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn in February 2011. It was the first train to use the new AK class carriages.
The Waikato Connection was a short-lived express passenger train between Hamilton and Auckland in New Zealand's North Island. It consisted of a weekday single return service using diesel multiple unit railcars.
The Wairarapa Connection is a New Zealand interurban commuter rail service along the Wairarapa Line between Masterton, the largest town in the Wairarapa, and Wellington. It is operated by Wellington suburban operator Transdev under contract from the Greater Wellington Regional Council. It is a diesel-hauled carriage service, introduced by the New Zealand Railways Department in 1964 after passenger demand between Masterton to Wellington exceeded the capacity of the diesel railcars then used.
Urban bus transport is the main form of public transport in New Zealand. Two of the country's largest cities, Auckland and Wellington, also have suburban rail systems, while some cities also operate local ferry services. There are no rapid transit metros and no remaining tram systems active anywhere in New Zealand, though trams once had a major role in New Zealand's public transport.
Featherston railway station is a single-platform, urban railway station serving the town of Featherston in the Wairarapa district of New Zealand. The station lies on the Wairarapa Line, between Harrison Street West and Harrison Street East. It is thirty-five minutes journey time to Masterton, or fifty five minutes journey time to Wellington.
Maymorn railway station is a twin platform, rural request stop railway station serving the small settlement of Maymorn on the Maymorn Plateau, east of Upper Hutt, in New Zealand’s North Island. It is served by the Wairarapa Connection, and sees five services each way Monday to Thursday, six on Friday and two on Saturday and Sunday.
KiwiRail Holdings Limited is a New Zealand state-owned enterprise (SOE) responsible for rail operations in New Zealand and operates inter-island ferries. Trading as KiwiRail and headquartered at 604 Great South Road, Ellerslie, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. KiwiRail has business units of KiwiRail Freight, Great Journeys New Zealand and Interislander. The company was formed in 2008 when the government renationalised above-rail operations and inter-island ferry operations, then owned by Toll Holdings. In 2021, the government launched the New Zealand Rail Plan, with funding for rail projects to come from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), and with KiwiRail remaining an SOE but paying Track Access Charges (TACs) to use the network.
The New Zealand FP/FT "Matangi" class is a class of electric multiple units used on the suburban rail network of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. The class, consisting of an FP power car and an FT trailer car, operates services on all electrified lines of the network which comprise the Kapiti, Hutt Valley, Melling and Johnsonville lines. The units are owned by Greater Wellington Rail Ltd, a subsidiary of the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and have been operated by Transdev Wellington under contract to the GWRC since 2016. They were previously operated by Tranz Metro, a former division of KiwiRail.
The New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriages were built by British Rail Engineering Limited for British Rail in the early 1970s. From the mid-1990s, 150 were exported to New Zealand. After being rebuilt, refurbished and re-gauged, they entered service with a variety of operators on New Zealand's railway network. The carriages generally replaced older NZR 56-foot carriages, some of which had been in use for almost 70 years.
Transdev Wellington is the operator of Wellington's Metlink rail network in New Zealand. The entity is a partnership of Transdev Australasia and Hyundai Rotem, who were awarded the contract to operate and maintain the commuter rail system in December 2015 by the Greater Wellington Regional Council. The contract commenced on 3 July 2016, taking over from KiwiRail division Tranz Metro.
Great Journeys New Zealand is the tourism division of KiwiRail that operate its three Scenic train services. The new division was launched in May 2017 and replaced the former tourism brand KiwiRail Scenic Journeys. It has continuity with the earlier InterCity Rail (1987–1995) and Tranz Scenic (1995–2011).
Te Huia is a passenger train service between Hamilton, Papakura, and Auckland in New Zealand. The service is a five-year trial with subsidies from the NZ Transport Agency and Waikato local authorities. The opening was delayed because of COVID-19 and the need to replace some rail track. A new starting date was announced, and the service began on 6 April 2021. Subject to consultation, the 2024 GPS, which sets out government spending plans for transport, does not include the $50m a year to 2026, for inter regional public transport, which was in the draft GPS of August 2023, issued by the previous Labour government, and which was being used to fund Te Huia.