Wairarapa Line updates

Rail service performance 

• A series of locomotive breakdowns caused delays to rail services. Two locomotives were repaired and returned to service. KiwiRail, the agency responsible for the locomotives, is investigating the cause of the faults. 

Bus replacements 

• Weekday 3:38pm departures from Masterton and 6:18pm departures from Wellington were bus replaced due to Transdev staffing levels. 

What specific actions are being taken or planned to improve the reliability, speed, and reduce disruptions on the Wairarapa Line?

Our number one priority is to stabilise staffing levels so our Wairarapa Line services can return to normal. Training of new recruits is currently underway, with Transdev expected to have a full team of Train Managers onboard by September 2025.

Supporting KiwiRail to complete the upgrade work they have already made great progress on. With the completion of the Remutaka Tunnel, three new bridges, and 40 kilometres of new track, travel times have reduced by 10 minutes and are expected to reduce by another five minutes once the upgrade work is complete, and new hybrid trains are in service.

KiwiRail has also started a $135m signalling programme for the Wairarapa Line. This work includes a new signalling system and passing loops that will enable more frequent services. This work is due to be completed early 2027.

This is all part of a 350 million investment into improving the Wairarapa line ready for the arrival of more frequent, faster moving trains from 2028/29.

For more information, visit the KiwiRail website.(external link)

Why have there been so many disruptions on the Wairarapa Line?

Service journey times can be affected by a number of things, including weather impacts, train operations, and infrastructure condition.

Staff rostering when there are high numbers of people on leave is a challenge we’re working hard to address.

Last month saw a day or two of perfect storm events – rostering problems, rust build up on newly installed line which meant trains needed to travel slowly over it until it cleared, and a technical problem with a new train control system.

We are midway through a major upgrade for the Wairarapa line – there is work happening at level crossings to make them safer, and new systems being introduced to make the service reliable and sustainable for the long run, which in the short term can mean disruption as things bed in.

What is causing the staffing shortage?

The Wairarapa Line requires Train Managers with specialised training, including industry standard licenses for safety procedures for the Remutaka Tunnel and shunting operations in Masterton Yard. While Transdev have 12 Train Managers on the books, only six are currently available for rostering. A full weekday timetable requires at least seven.

What is Transdev doing to fix the issue?

In the meantime, Transdev are working to optimise rostering and manage available resources as efficiently as possible. Weekday services will be prioritised over weekends, and commuter services over daytime services.

Why can’t other Train Managers cover Wairarapa services?

Wairarapa Train Managers require specific licences for skills that Train Managers on the Wellington Network (with its electric trains) do not need to have. This includes safety protocols for the Remutaka Tunnel and the ability to operate points and shunt trains and carriages in the Masterton Yard. The pay rates for the Wairarapa Line are higher than their Wellington colleagues to reflect the additional responsibilities for the tunnel and the yard.

The necessary skills and licences take time to train and there are assessments for competency before a Train Manager can work on the Wairarapa Line.

Although this is not a short-term fix, Transdev are looking at whether we can train Wellington Train Managers and other rail workers in their Wairarapa licences.

Why are buses replacing train services?

Buses replacing trains are a reality of any transport network, either during scheduled maintenance or to keep services running when unexpected incidents occur. However, as our aging network is renewed and our overall network resilience improves, it would be reasonable to expect fewer bus replacements in the future.

We understand that buses take longer and do not provide the same level of service as trains, and Metlink is developing a plan to improve rail replacement services across the network, with actions based on passenger feedback and lessons learned from previous rail closures.

When will service reliability improve?

Transdev staffing

Transdev are working hard to stabilise staffing levels and expect improvements as new recruits complete their training mid-2025. Based on the training requirements, Transdev expect to have a full team of Train Managers by September 2025.

While weekday commuter services will be prioritised with trains, buses will continue to replace trains as required. We are monitoring the situation daily and making adjustments where possible to minimise the impact on passengers.

Passengers can expect trains to be running as normal unless otherwise specified by Metlink service alerts, on real-time information boards, or announced on platform.

New trains coming 2028/29

The current aged locomotive-hauled train fleet operating on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines is reaching the end of its service life and is in critical need of replacement.

The Government has committed to invest hundreds of millions in the new Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility (LNIRIM) trains, with procurement of the trains well underway, with expectation that a contract will be signed mid-2025, and delivery of the new trains 2028/29.

With the new trains, and improvements to the rail network, passengers will experience:

• faster and more reliable services, with journey times shortened by up to 15 minutes.
• increase in service frequency, with a doubling of peak services on the line and additional off-peak and weekend services.

Are Transdev’s employment practices being reviewed?

Yes, Transdev are looking at:

The physical requirements of the Wairarapa Train Manger role. Past recruitment has not sufficiently considered the physical elements of the role (shunting, moving the points and potential evacuation procedures). We have introduced physical and physiological tests for new recruits.

We are looking at how we better manage the health and wellbeing of our staff. We have recently started using the services of a physiotherapist to work with people with injuries (whether from work or home) so they can safely return to work sooner. It is always a balance given how long it takes to train a Wairarapa Train Manager and the required reasonable timeframe an employer needs to allow an employee to retain fitness for work.

What is the long-term plan for rail?

Metlink is working hard to build a better rail network for the Wellington Region. To see what this involves, take a look at the Future Rail » Metlink.(external link)

Contractual agreements

Metlink and Transdev Wellington’s Rail Partnering Contract is designed to deliver a sustainable transport model with an expectation of quality service for passengers, and a commitment to run scheduled services by train or bus replacement, as required. The contract is in place until 2031 and is not currently under review. To view the Transdev contract, visit Greater Wellington — Public transport contracts.(external link)