Aging trains fail capital commuters

An "aging train fleet" is the reason for cancellations and delays on Wellington's rail network this morning, KiwiRail says.

Three trains experienced mechanical issues, KiwiRail spokesman Nigel Parry told NZPA.

The 7.05am Taita service in the Hutt Valley was cancelled this morning after a mechanical fault, while the 7.19am Taita service was delayed by up to 10 minutes by another mechanical issue.

The 10am Upper Hutt service was cancelled after yet another mechanical fault.

Mr Parry said the faults were a result of an "ageing train fleet", with trains up to 28 years-old.

"Operational issues" also delayed three other trains into Wellington this morning.

The Capital Connection service arrived late due to congestion on the tracks, Mr Parry said.

Trains were cancelled and delayed yesterday after a series of different faults.

A mechanical fault led to yesterday's 7.27am and 8am Taita services being cancelled, while a signal and points failure around 11am saw trains replaced by buses between Plimmerton and Paraparaumu.

A telecommunications fault near Trentham, in the Hutt Valley, caused delays of up to 40 minutes on the Hutt Valley line between 6.50am and 8.10am yesterday.

The same fault also led to the cancellation of the 8.10am Plimmerton train, on the main trunk line north.

They were the latest of numerous faults in recent months which had coincided with a drop in commuter numbers.

KiwiRail was currently upgrading the Wellington train network, including a new main line and an upgrade of the overhead line system which powering electric trains.

Passenger numbers had fallen over the seven months to February, but Mr Parry expected passenger numbers would increase once the upgrades were completed next year.

- NZPA