Weekly Review No.112
Inside this edition: Snapper hooks onto contactless payments, Palmerston North Bus Terminal prepares for summer works and AT sets out 2026 rail network closure dates.
Welcome to the Weekly Review. There is only 1 more edition of the Weekly Review for 2025 before we go on our summer break. We will be on a posting hiatus between December 24 and January 19. You can stay updated on Twitter/X, Bluesky or Instagram with the latest transit news as it happens.
Those in charge of the country’s most expensive transport infrastructure are confident the new timetable for opening will stick – but they won’t name a date.
For around 4 weeks from January 5, repairs will be made to the pavement at the Palmerston North Bus Terminal. The Bus Terminal will be closed, with stops temporarily moved to The Square. There will be no parking in The Square while the temporary bus stops are in place.
KiwiRail crews will begin setting up a construction site near Parnell Station for crews and equipment from December 15. The laydown area will be used for the foundation and drainage upgrades taking place in Parnell Tunnel over the 2025/26 Summer Rail Upgrades.
Crews will:
- Remove old track, ballast, drainage and foundations
- Installation of new signal cables
- Install new track, ballast, drainage and foundations
In KiwiRail’s Operational Pānui November 2025 newsletter, they shared that they have added an extra locomotive onto Auckland services to improve capacity and resilience. KiwiRail also shared the details of the upcoming Christmas Block of Lines in Auckland and Wellington.
The Auckland blocks of lines have 5 different configurations to allow for the various track closures over the shutdown.
Time is ticking on a contract that keeps logging trucks off the Napier-Taihape Road, but the mediator of the deal hopes it will stay in place.
A week after a South Island train experience was announced another one has been revealed as train travel becomes more popular.
A proposed $400 million gondola public transport system for Queenstown has received a conditional endorsement from the Infrastructure Commission, as it seeks entry into the fast-track programme.
Warkworth’s 999 loop bus trial needs a marketing boost to publicise its benefits and increase passenger uptake, Rodney Local Board members heard last month.
Greater Wellington Regional Council says contactless payment on buses and trains will roll out in the first half of next year, as delays mount for the Motu Move project’s implementation in the region.
MediaWorks has shared a video showing the process involved in wrapping one of the Auckland Electric Train units in an advert.
By Darren Davis via Adventures in Transitland: It seems to be the season to look back on the year that was so here goes with a retrospective of key public transport developments in Aotearoa this year.
A passenger rail venture between Christchurch and Invercargill received a 25% price drop within 24 hours of going live.
KiwiRail has shared photos of the work crews completed during a recent two-day block of line. During the BOL, crews rebuilt the Solway Street level crossing. The rebuild means that track speed restrictions in place for two years can be removed.
The Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project has moved from planning to physical works, marking the first visible step toward preparing for the next generation of Interislander vessels.
Auckland Transport have released further details of network closures planned for 2026. Most closures coincide with public holidays, allowing for KiwiRail crews to extended time to complete scheduled works.
The network closures also note that there will be further CRL tests on March 22 and in mid-April over a 3-day period.
Auckland’s planned summer train shutdown has been labelled frustrating and disappointing, with one community leader calling for free rail replacements.
Danish naval architecture firm Knud E. Hansen has been selected to undertake design work on two new Ro-Pax ferries that China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International is building for New Zealand operator KiwiRail.
The Governments proposed local government shakeup would mean increased pressure on non-rates revenue, i.e. water charges, fees, and public transport fares, said Free Fares NZ spokesperson Frances Mountier.
A shake-up of Hawke’s Bay’s bus network has frustrated some Hastings residents who don’t want bus stops installed outside their homes.
Snapper have announced that Metlink trains and buses will support contactless credit and debit card payments, using the existing Snapper ticketing equipment.
More than 100,000 contactless payments have been made by bus and ferry users in Greater Christchurch in the first month since the new contactless ticketing system was introduced.
The Ocean Beach Railway at John Wilson Ocean Dr will hold its annual Christmas Train and can appeal next Sunday, December 21. Donating a can of food will allow visitors to enjoy a free train trip from 11 am to 4 pm.
Josh Rogerson has shared photos of the new tactile tiles installed at Stops B, C & D Westfield Newmarket on Broadway.
Auckland Transport have released their Holiday Timetable structure for the Christmas-New Year period.
321, 395, 805, 866, 966 & 986 will run a reduced weekday timetable on Saturdays.
NX1 will have additional peak trips to Hibiscus Coast.
Christmas Day: Trains run hourly plus Rail Buses in between.
Boxing Day: WEST runs hourly to Swanson and every 20 minutes to Henderson. After 8 pm every 30mins to Swanson. All other lines on Sunday Timetable.
27th: Summer BoL begins.
New Year’s Eve: Additional Rail Buses to 1 am.
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