Full steam ahead for Wellington transport

The Council said rail patronage had steadily increased since the first batch began arriving in 2010. Photo / Lynda Feringa

The first pair of two-car units from Wellington's new trains arrived this morning by boat from Korea.

The two-car units were the first of 35 pairs made set to arrive in stages by the middle of next year.

Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde said locals preferred the new units to the old Ganz Mavag units.

The Council said rail patronage had steadily increased since the first batch began arriving in 2010.

"This is the final step on the way to having the single, modern, electric train fleet the region's commuters deserve," Ms Wilde said.

"And it can't come soon enough. If you stand on a platform today, you can still hear a collective groan when the old units come into view instead of one of our new Matangi."

The remaining Ganz Mavag units will be phased out as the new Hyundai-made trains arrived and were commissioned.