Wairarapa Line
This page only shows planned buses replacing trains schedules.
During unplanned disruptions, bus service information will be included in the service alert. (external link)
Bus stop locations are listed at the bottom of this page.
Metlink can't guarantee that buses replacing trains will have a bike rack, because non-Metlink buses are often used for replacement services.
Buses replace the following services from 29 May 2023. These services will use accessible coaches.
- 10.30am to Wellington (bus to Featherston, then train to Wellington)
- 3.38pm to Wellington (bus to Featherston, then train to Wellington)
- 8.21am to Masterton (train to Featherston, then bus to Masterton)
- 12.45pm to Masterton (train to Featherston, then bus to Masterton)
A reminder, peak services will continue to run as normal.
Calendar & Timetables for Wairarapa Line
Monthly calendar updated 2 October
Sometimes buses replace trains only on part of the line, even when all services are affected.
Detailed information below will note which stations are affected when only a portion of the line has bus replacements.
Weekdays ongoing
Buses replace four daytime services between Featherston and Masterton every Monday to Friday for upgrade works
- 10.30am to Wellington
- 3.38pm to Wellington
- 8.21am to Masterton
- 12.45pm to Masterton
From Monday 25 September 2023, buses will resume bus replacing weekday services between Featherston to Masterton, with trains running between Wellington and Featherston.
Saturday 7 October - Sunday 8 October
Buses replace all services between Wellington and Masterton until approximately Sunday 12 pm
Monday 16 October - Friday 20 October
Tuesday 24 October - Friday 27 October
For two weeks only, buses replace these daytime services between Wellington and Masterton. Trains will not be running.
- 10:30am to Wellington
- 3:38pm to Wellington
- 8:21am to Masterton
- 12:45pm to Masterton
Saturday 21 October - Monday 23 October
Buses replace all services between Wellington and Masterton for Labour Weekend
Saturday 28 October - Sunday 29 October
Buses replace all services between Wellington and Petone
From Monday 30 October 2023, buses will resume bus replacing weekday services between Featherston to Masterton, with trains running between Wellington and Featherston.
Stop locations are visible on the map by selecting "Buses replacing trains bus stops" from the Show on map tab.
Wairarapa Line: Buses replace weekday daytime trains from 8 June 2021 ongoing for upgrade works.
KiwiRail, Greater Wellington Regional Council (Metlink) and Transdev Wellington are working together to upgrade the rail network across the Wellington Region, including the Wairarapa Line.
From late 2020, and over the next three years, KiwiRail will be busy replacing rail, sleepers and ballast, refurbishing bridges and road crossings, and carrying out extensive drainage and vegetation work along the line. This essential work will help improve the network’s safety, performance and reliability. Sections of the existing track are nearing the end of their expected life, causing speed restrictions on the line.
We’re also preparing for a projected increase in commuter numbers over the next 25 years as the population grows. An improved network will be able to cope with higher numbers of passengers.
What does the work involve?
Full information available on KiwiRail website(external link)
The Wairarapa Line work includes 35 kilometres of track renewal, as well as replacing 71,000 sleepers and 25 kilometres of rail between Upper Hutt and Masterton. It also includes carrying out remedial works on three bridges, upgrading 12 level crossings, and drainage and vegetation work along most of the section.
Will train services be affected?
Where possible, we plan work during periods when commuter demand is lower. Sometimes we need more time than those periods allow for. During this time, Metlink will still get you to where you need to be.
From 29 May 2023, weekday daytime train services between Wellington and Featherston will be replaced by buses. Peak services will continue to run as normal. Some weekends will be impacted by this project work, know before you go and stay up to date by signing up to MyMetlink and turning notifications on.
Buses replace the following services from 29 May 2023. These services will use accessible coaches.
- 10.30am to Wellington (bus to Featherston, then train to Wellington)
- 3.38pm to Wellington (bus to Featherston, then train to Wellington)
- 8.21am to Masterton (train to Featherston, then bus to Masterton)
- 12.45pm to Masterton (train to Featherston, then bus to Masterton)
A reminder, peak services will continue to run as normal.
We appreciate this will cause new disruption to some commuters, and we apologise for the inconvenience. Our aim is to get the work done efficiently and in a shorter timeframe.
What about buses in the area?
There are new timetables for route 200(external link) and route 204(external link) from 29 May 2023, to meet connections with the buses replacing trains on the Wairarapa Line.
How can I find out more?
An overview of the Wellington Metro Upgrade programme, including the Wairarapa Line upgrade project, can be found on the KiwiRail website(external link).
This is necessary work. Please bear with us. We will keep you informed about the improvements to your rail network along the way.
Last published: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7:24 PM