New Zealand transport minister Phil Twyford has announced $196 million will be spent to improve infrastructure and capacity on the Wairarapa, Hutt and Kapiti rail lines around Wellington.
$96 million of the money will provide for a significant upgrade of the Wairarapa Line, which connects Wellington to Masterton, 80 kilometres northeast.
Twyford said without the commitment the Wairarapa Line would continue to deteriorate, meaning more service disruptions.
“This [deterioration] was simply unacceptable,” the transport minister said.
“Passengers have a right to expect a safe and reliable service, and this investment will ensure the long-term future of this route.
“It also highlights the importance our Government places on public transport.”
The Wairarapa investment includes $50 million for track infrastructure, and an additional $46.2 million to be used on the rail line south of the Rimutaka Hill tunnel, with work to include track duplication between Trentham and Upper Hutt.
Twyford said the work would help unlock the Wairarapa region’s potential for economic growth in business and tourism.
“One of the key drivers of growth is confidence and consistency,” he said. “This will help with both.
“It will also give the Greater Wellington Regional Council more confidence to invest in upgrading and improving the line’s rolling stock,” said Phil Twyford.
Greater Wellington Regioanal Council chair Chris Laidlaw said the spending was “a game changer for public transport” in the region.
“This is an upgrade that has been desperately needed for some time and Council has been waiting for news on this funding for a number of years,” Laidlaw said.
“The work being done means more freight will be able to be transported along the line, which will have long-term benefits for Wairarapa.”
The funding was also welcomed by the state-owned rail operator KiwiRail.
“The network is aging and parts of it are nearing the end of their useful life,” KiwiRail acting chief executive David Gordon said, “which means there have to be speed restrictions and more likelihood of delays.”
He said the funding would allow KiwiRail to bring the network up to standard, and make improvements to allow for more and longer trains.
“A major focus is on the Wairarapa Line, which will see tracks, sleepers, and bridges renewed to remove speed restrictions and increase reliability.”