Media release

Coastal Pacific train back for summer

The Coastal Pacific train between Christchurch and Picton resumes today for the start of its extended summer season of operation.

“Earlier this year it was decided that the Coastal Pacific train would shift to a seasonal timetable, running an extended summer season in the seven months between October and April,” says KiwiRail’s General Manager, Passenger, Deborah Hume

“The Canterbury and Marlborough regions will leave you spoilt for choice in the summer months, and the change has allowed KiwiRail to make the best of both domestic and international tourism markets in New Zealand.” 

A number of similar services around the world also run seasonal timetables, including in Australia and Canada.

“We have had to take a really close look at how we make the best of the domestic and international market we have, and a seasonal timetable does this. 

“We recognise that the Coastal Pacific train is a fantastic addition to the tourism portfolio in the Canterbury region. With new carriages, a new menu, and our Scenic Escape travel packages including Whale Watch and wine tasting, the Coastal Pacific train is a summer must-do,” Ms Hume says. 

“While we’ve had to make changes to accommodate for the revenue loss from the drop in passenger numbers over the winter months, we are confident that the market will recover over time.

“We are looking forward to a busy summer tourist season for the Coastal Pacific and we remain very open to working with travel and tourism operators to identify further opportunities to increase tourism in the Canterbury and South Island region,” says Ms Hume. 

The Coastal Pacific service will run from 27 September 2013 until May 2014. Services will resume again at the end of September 2014.

Return services to Picton operate daily departing Addington Station in Christchurch at 7am and returning at 6.30pm. Throughfares  with Sounds Air or the Interislander Ferry can be booked for those looking to travel between the North and South Islands, and Scenic Escape packages including Kaikoura whale watch, Blenheim wine tasting and Marlborough Sounds cruising can be all be booked online at www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz. 

ENDS

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