More trains to be ordered and ready in time for Britomart

16 December 2002

At its meeting today the Auckland Regional Council decided on a charter arrangement with Tranz Rail for additional interim rolling stock. This is to ensure that additional services will be offered and expected passenger demand can be met when Britomart opens mid next year.

The ARC this week takes delivery of the first of the 10 refurbished ADL trains, which will provide the basis of the modern rail system for Auckland commuters. However, these trains will not be enough to fill expected demand when trains start running to improved timetables, stations are upgraded and Britomart opens mid next year.

Today’s decision will add 2 SX trains to the interim fleet by mid 2003 followed by 4 SA trains, the first to arrive in August 2003 and the remainder by March 2004. It is proposed these will be supplemented by up to 4 SA Driving Trains in the 2004/2005 financial year. All of these make up the interim fleet to be eventually replaced by a new fleet once the network is fully operational and demand is established. Decisions regarding a new fleet, including consideration of electrification, will be made at a later date.

Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited and Infrastructure Auckland commissioned a review of interim rolling stock options and presented their report to the Council today.

ARC Chair Gwen Bull said following the meeting “The report from ARTNL and IA provided another perspective for us to consider. It was absolutely critical that a decision was made to provide trains in time for the opening of Britomart and our advice is that this is the best and most cost effective solution.”

The option decided on for the SX trains is a charter arrangement with no initial cost, but a total cost of $3.2 million over four years.

Design work will begin for the SA trains immediately and is estimated to cost $300,000.

ENDS

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