Wellington's first new trains in December

The first of 48 new trains Wellington is getting are in town and will be hitting the tracks in December.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said the new Matangi trains would be more reliable and comfortable.

The first two-car unit would be in operation from December with possibly a second pressed into action around the same time.

The government committed $258 million through a Crown appropriation to the Greater Wellington Regional Council for a commuter upgrade, with further funds directed to KiwiRail.

The new trains would eventually replace old stock bought in 1982. Some of the trains were built in the 1950s and were brought back into service from museums to meet demand.

"Improving the rolling stock is equally as important as the rail upgrade and that's been underway over the past two years.

"The rail upgrade has caused its share of pain because KiwiRail has been upgrading the network in the limited windows of opportunities when trains aren't running. Inevitably that puts pressure on infrastructure that is in some cases more than 50 years old."

Disability Issues Minister Pansy Wong said the train design would help people with disabilities. There were floor areas for wheelchairs and mobility scooters and under floor ramps which folded out on to the platform. There was also a hearing loop for the hearing impaired.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said the trains would be a welcome addition to the Wellington rail commuter service, which had suffered huge disruptions in recent months.

"It's fantastic to have the new trains, which Wellingtonians have been waiting years for.

"What we now need is to restore credibility to the service by getting the trains to run on time and provide a more reliable service," she said.

However, it would be better if the trains were able to accommodate bicycles at peak hour, she said.

- NZPA