For immediate release
30 April 2007

New auto rail service between Christchurch and Invercargill

A new vehicle-carrying rail service between Christchurch and Invercargill has proved an instant success with car dealers, lease companies, vehicle importers and members of the public – so much so that Toll NZ is considering expanding the service to run each week day.

Auto Express – part of Toll Tranzlink – is running specially designed, fully enclosed rail wagons between the two South Island cities. The modified rail wagons are capable of transporting ten vehicles each, including four-wheel-drives or light commercials, and provide absolute protection against the weather, theft or vandalism.

Auto Express national manager Hamish Turner says,” Auto Express offers several significant advantages compared to road transport. Our covered wagons protect the vehicles from stone chips, grease and grime as well as from possible vandalism.

“The wagons are sealed when they depart and the vehicles are not unloaded again until they reach destination. We can also offer individual containers for customers who want to ship their vehicle with other bits and pieces. For example, with vintage cars being restored, we can offer containers to take other vehicle body parts that can travel with the car.

“Or with high-value luxury cars such as Ferrari’s, where people want that ‘personalised’ service we can meet their specialised need. Another market niche is moving the vehicles of people on job relocations, or families moving between cities.

Mr Turner says,” Auto Express business unit has been a big success for Toll in recent years on the key routes between Auckland-Wellington-Christchurch, where the majority of vehicle moves occur.

An overnight service is offered between Auckland and Wellington and between Wellington and Christchurch, and a two-day transit between Auckland and Christchurch.

It was this success that persuaded Toll to upgrade and extend the fleet of specialist wagons needed for the service, and Mr Turner says this allowed Auto Express to extend its vehicle delivery offering to the Christchurch-Invercargill route.

We have been running four return services a week, with the vehicles ready for collection at the destination depot the day following loading. However if the volumes continue to grow we will consider running a service each weekday, says Mr Turner.

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