Passenger Rail

Capital Connection

The Capital Connection is a passenger rail service which runs weekdays from Palmerston North in the morning (departing at 6.15am) and returns from Wellington in the evening (departing 5.15pm), with stops along the way in Shannon, Levin, Ōtaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu.

Capital Connection service upgrades

Central government is investing $802.9m in the Manawatū and Wairarapa rail lines, including a new fleet of passenger trains for the lower North Island. This includes the Capital Connection service, which runs currently between Palmerston North and Wellington and back once a day on weekdays. This investment will see at least four return trips each weekday between Palmerston North and Wellington, as well as two return trips on Saturday and Sunday.

At the heart of the investment is Tūhono – a fleet of 18 five-car battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains, the first of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The name Tűhono, which was approved by mana whenua, symbolises how the trains will better connect urban centres and regional communities.

Designed for Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique rail conditions, these trains will operate on both electrified and non-electrified tracks, switching seamlessly from electric motors to battery power where needed. In our region, this innovation will support more frequent, reliable, and sustainable services between Palmerston North and Wellington. It will also provide more transport connections for communities in between our main urban centres (e.g. Levin and Shannon).

The trains, which will be built and maintained by Alstom, will provide more climate-friendly, comfortable and inclusive journeys. Wheelchair, bicycle and mobility device (e.g prams) facilities will all be included, as well as accessible toilets, vending machines and water dispensers.  

The full suite of upgrades, known as the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (LNIRIM) programme, will also include significant infrastructure improvements, such as upgraded stations, new stabling yards, and extended passing loops to support the expanded fleet and timetable. LNIRIM is a relationship co-funded by Horizons, Greater Wellington Regional Council and central government.

Click here to read the business case for the LNIRIM programme, and see some concept images of Tūhono just below this paragraph.

Other services

Also running through our region is the Northern Explorer, which operates between Wellington and Auckland on a six day timetable (three journeys in each direction a week). Within the Horizons Region, it stops in Palmerston North, Ohakune and National Park.

Check out the links below for more information related to rail services within our region and beyond.