The New Zealand government has announced a NZD 802.9 million (USD 469.45 million) investment to modernize the Wairarapa and Kapiti suburban rail lines serving Wellington, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

New Zealand to Invest NZD 802.9 Million in Upgrading Wellington's Suburban Rail Lines
Photo: Wikipedia

The funding is provided under an agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), national operator KiwiRail, and the regional councils of Greater Wellington and Manawatu-Wanganui.

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The project will eliminate temporary speed restrictions and increase speeds to 90-110 km/h on the Wairarapa line.

Plans also include introducing new rolling stock and increasing train frequency.

On the Wairarapa line, which connects Wellington and Masterton, KiwiRail will build a second platform at Maymorn Station and upgrade platforms at other stations.

Travel time between Wellington and Masterton will be reduced by 15 minutes.

As part of the upgrade, three new train stabling tracks will be constructed to accommodate new trains replacing the aging 1970s rolling stock.

In May 2023, funding was announced for the supply of 18 hybrid trains with four carriages each for these lines as part of the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (LNIRIM) project.

The new hybrid trains will run on diesel fuel, battery power, and a 1.5 kV DC overhead contact system. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2028.

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