KiwiRail has announced it will replace its electric train fleet on the North Island main trunk line with diesel locomotives, a decision criticised as a big backwards step by the Green Party and Labour.
Peter Reidy, KiwiRail chief executive, said the fleet of almost 30-year-old electric trains that run between Hamilton and Palmerston North will be phased out over the next two years, and replaced with diesel locomotives.
He said electric infrastructure on the line would be maintained to allow for any future use.
KiwiRail considered replacing the electric fleet with other electric trains, upgrading the current electric trains, or replacing them with diesel trains.
Reidy said the electric trains that will now be phased out were breaking down too often. A "small number" of staff could be affected by the decision, he said.
The main trunk line in the North Island runs from Auckland to Wellington, and is electrified only between Hamilton and Palmerston North.