Wellington trains on track to $2.5m blowout

BY KERRY WILLIAMSON

A significant slump in passengers after a year of delays, breakdowns and cancellations on the region's rails has led to a $2.5 million budget blowout.

Greater Wellington regional council's rail operations expenditure is forecast to hit $27.5 million, $2.5m over budget, amid discontent over services.

In September, patronage fell by more than 8.5 per cent. That equates to almost 3000 fewer trips during the morning and afternoon peak.

The falloff is happening as the system is being upgraded for the arrival of new trains by mid-2010.

Any reduction in passenger numbers on the system, which is operated by KiwiRail and subsidised by GWRC, means a rise in a council subsidy to cover money lost through diminished fares.

"I'm not happy to see the increased cost on ratepayers," said Peter Glensor, chairman of the regional council's transport and access committee. "We're not happy [with KiwiRail] and we've made that really clear. People just get fed up really with what's been going on. It is clearly not up to standard."

The rail system has drawn the ire of passengers all year, with delays, cancelled services, cold trains and poor communication. A 10 per cent average fare increase in September last year angered commuters.

About $300m has been spent on the upgrade. Most of the work should be finished by late 2010, and frustrated passengers are being asked to be patient.

"We are in the midst of a once-in-40-year attempt to catch up on all the undone work," Mr Glensor said.

"But there is unfortunately quite a lot of disruption involved in that and ... that sometimes impacts on people."

Christine Hofkens, who catches the train twice a day between Paraparaumu and Wellington, said passengers were tired of being patient.

"The trains are cold, they are not on time, there are always points failures. The standard is deplorable. People just won't take the train."

The network was described as "third world" in July, following two major breakdowns that resulted in a public apology from KiwiRail.

The company has also failed to meet its own performance targets. Tranz Metro aims to have 95 per cent of services arriving and leaving within three minutes of the scheduled time – that did not happen at all in August, September or October.

Last month a regional council report found that more than one in 10 trains was running late, and that just 60 per cent of passengers considered the rail network to be reliable.

KiwiRail spokesman Nigel Parry said problems were "inevitable" with the upgrade that came after decades of inattention.

"We are working through the current operational situation as best we can. We're not always able to provide the full rail service which we'd like to.

"We're doing our best to keep disruptions at a minimum."

TRAIN PAIN

About $500 million is being spent on the rail network upgrade.

* GWRC has bought 48 two-car train units for $235m. The Matangi trains will arrive mid-2010.

* Seven tunnels on the Johnsonville line made larger.

* Improvements to eight stations (Epuni, Awarua St, Khandallah, Raroa, Ngaio, Simla Cres, Petone, Pukerua Bay).

* Eleven electrical substations built.

* Track and overhead wire work for third line into Wellington station. Operational by mid-2010.

* Electrification and double-tracking extended to Waikanae. Due for completion end of 2010.

* Significant work on the overhead traction system which powers the electric trains. Will continue into 2011.

* Improvements to communications with passengers, including better texting service, better speaker system on platforms, improved Tranz Metro website listing delays.

- © Fairfax NZ News