New trains for Wellington commuters

Wellington's beleaguered commuters will have some new trains on their tracks from August and maybe able to travel in them by Christmas .

In recent months, commuters have endured repeated delays, due to electrical faults and repair work on tracks, culminating in two disruptions last month. In one passengers disembarked from carriages and walked along the tracks into town.

The new trains would gradually enter service, replacing the current 37-car English Electric fleet, Greater Wellington regional council transport and access committee chairman Peter Glensor said.

The air-conditioned, stainless-steel trains would be tested for several months before entering use, but Mr Glensor expected them to carrying passengers before Christmas.

"As well as a complete testing of the train, we'll need to be sure that everything on the network - such as signalling, power supply and platforms - are working for the new trains," he said.

The trains would be tested on the Hutt line, where they would be introduced first.

"People in the Wellington region love their trains. Unfortunately their loyalty is being sorely tested at present as a huge amount of work goes on to prepare the network for the new trains - and turn back years of neglect and under-investment by previous owners."

- NZPA