More trains for Auckland

By STUART DYE transport reporter

Ten new trains will be running on Auckland's rail network by the end of 2005, the regional council announced yesterday.

The authority's passenger transport committee has approved an order for 10 trains and the mechanical upgrade of nine existing units.

The package will cost more than $61.2 million, but about 60 per cent of that will be provided by Transfund - avoiding the need for further rates increases.

ARC chairwoman Gwen Bull said the first of the trains should be on the tracks by April next year.

"These trains are urgently needed as more and more people are using rail," she said.

"This purchase will have a significant impact on the rail network as it will improve service reliability and increase capacity."

The announcement will be a shot in the arm for commuters who have continued to use rail, despite troubles with the service.

ARC figures show that, from July to October, more than 1.12 million journeys were made on the region's trains - up 32 per cent on last year.

Mrs Bull said the support from Transfund meant the service could be enhanced without adding to the burden on ratepayers.

She said the agreement to buy the additional trains followed the Government's decision to give Tranz Rail and ARC the go-ahead for the first stage of double tracking on the western line.

Construction will begin early next year to double-track the line between Mt Eden and Avondale.

It is estimated that work will take 12 months.

Next week the authority is expected to announce the operator to run Auckland's rail service.

Serco, Stagecoach and Connex have submitted bids for the franchise and officials are in the final stages of choosing who will take over from Tranz Rail.

ARC passenger transport committee chairwoman, Catherine Harland, said the new trains would be able to be used anywhere on the network and were suitable for fast loading and unloading.

The new rolling stock, coupled with the double-tracking of the western line, would make for much smoother journeys for thousands of commuters every day, Ms Harland said.