Funding for Capital Connection a big win for communities in the region

Horizons Regional Council is thrilled with the pre-budget announcement of funding for a fleet hybrid-electric passenger trains in the lower North Island, including the Capital Connection. 

Central government has agreed to purchase 18 four-car, tri-mode trains, and associated infrastructure, for the Manawatū and Wairarapa rail lines. These new trains will replace the existing Capital Connection which provides one return trip to Wellington on weekdays.
 
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the new fleet will mean more reliable, efficient and attractive services which is a win for communities and the environment.
 
“This announcement has been a long time coming and is critically timed with the current Capital Connection being over 50 years old and nearing the end of its working life,” she says.
 
“Added to this is the unprecedented urban growth in our region and beyond, increasing road safety issues, and increased awareness of vehicle emissions and their impact on climate change. Providing an alternative that is resilient and meets the needs of the community is key to getting people onto public transport and reducing emissions and congestion.
 
"This investment shakes thing up and adds more sustainable and reliable public transport just in time, moving the most amount of people from one region to the next with the fewest vehicles.
 
“The successful business case presented to central government is a credit to the hard work put in by Horizons and Greater Wellington staff, as well as Waka Kotahi. Overall, it’s been a team effort with strong advocacy across both regions to get this solution.”
 
Cr Keedwell says the new trains will provide an outstanding service to the Manawatū and Wairarapa, providing connections between regions and supporting growth in communities all the way along the track lines.
 
“The Manawatū line services will double during peak times and provide two off-peak trips, totalling four return trips a day, and will include weekend services. We know our communities will be really excited by this prospect and will want to know a lot of detail we can’t provide yet.
 
“The first next step is getting the procurement process underway which will directly influence how soon the services can start. Fortunately, we are well placed to get this underway immediately and look forward to continuing to work with Greater Wellington and Waka Kotahi to get the rolling stock.
 
“From there, work will go into confirming details such as timing of services and ticket prices. The aim is to keep ticket prices the same or lower than what they are now, and there will be no rate increases to support the increased services required for several years.
 
“In the meantime, refurbished carriages for the Capital Connection will get us through until the new services begin and Horizons will be looking at what other connecting services may be required – for example, bus services to the train station at relevant times.”
 
Cr Keedwell says on the behalf of the region’s communities, she’d like to congratulate and thank central government for their climate friendly investment in public transport which will enable growth and easier commuting.
 
“I’d also like to thank our communities for supporting the Capital Connection over the years when it’s future has been uncertain, as well all the staff at both councils who have put in hours and hours of work to keep the service running and on this business case.
 
“This announcement strongly supports Horizons’ goals of lowering transport emissions - combined with the fully electric bus fleet approved for Palmerston North, the region is moving in a great direction.”
 
The Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (LNIRIM) project explores options to deliver critical passenger transport services as the aged locomotive-hauled trains of the Wairarapa and Manawatū Lines reach the end of their service lives. 
 
Building on the Initial Business Case (IBC) this Detailed Business Case (DBC) expands the analysis and aims to recommend a preferred option that meets the service needs for accessing social and economic opportunities and maximises value for money, while also providing a safe and environmentally friendly transportation mode. It estimates every dollar spent on the new trains, which are battery powered on non-electric track, will yield $1.83.
 
Read the detailed business case here: Lower North Island Rail