Weekly Review No.83
This week, The Southerner makes a return, Bluebridge’s new ferry Livia sails closer to entering service and Taumarunui finally farewells the ex-Auckland carriages.
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It’s been over 20 years since a passenger train last stopped in Morrinsville, locals recall, but they say it’d be “fantastic” if it came back to the town.
Most of the external cladding has been removed from the sound shed by the Mercury Lane entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station.
The union representing rail workers celebrates the official opening of KiwiRail’s rebuilt and revitalised Hillside Rail Workshop in Dunedin.
The government has thrown its backing behind the proposed Mosgiel inland freight port with an $8 million cash injection.
Ashburton doesn't have public buses like Christchurch, but some district councillors want the option looked at.
On a wet week in March, a Hawke’s Bay school bus driver saw his young passengers huddled under a canopy of huddled umbrellas and decided to do something to keep them warm and dry.
Christchurch bus patronage is experiencing a resurgence, with year-to-date usage up 6.2% compared to the same period last year. But even loyal bus users are frustrated with Metro’s notorious unreliability and slowness.
The Southerner returned to the tracks Saturday morning for its first limited run, The service is being operated by KiwiRail’s Great Journeys New Zealand arm.
“Up to hourly” services, a Hamilton CBD station, train upgrades, electric rail & connecting with Tauranga were among the possible short & longer term investments discussed at the Future Proof Public Transport committee meeting.
Is it better value for Christchurch workers who live in Rolleston to bus or drive to the city every day? In the year to April 30 there were almost 23,000 passenger journeys on buses between Christchurch and Rolleston, according to Environment Canterbury.
A new running pattern began on Sunday for Auckland Transport’s route 65 services, with some services running to Coyle Park instead of terminating near Walker Park.
Several European and Australian ferry operators expressed interest in running a Cook Strait ferry service as part of a market sounding process earlier this year.
The tourism division of KiwiRail brought back the passenger rail experience between Dunedin and Christchurch for four days this year beginning on Saturday.
Ngā Mahi Rail crews recently assisted with a rerailing project within the Kaimai tunnel, crews helped move 50m lengths of rail.
Darren Davis from Adventures in Transitland took a quick rundown on the state of the rails across the motu in the lead-up to the 2025 budget on 22 May 2025.
Work is underway in the Central Post Office above Waitematā (Britomart) station to replace the lifts. The two lifts in the office building will be upgraded to KONE Elevators with a Tirak Man-Riding Winch, and other high-wear components will also be replaced.
KiwiRail confirmed that its ferry Aratere will retire no later than 30 August. Kaiārahi will go to dry dock in Singapore, leaving in late June and when it arrives back in mid to late August, Aratere will retire from service.
The Governors Bay community has been fighting for a bus route since it was axed after the 2011 earthquake.
Clutha's mayor says newly announced funding for an inland port proposal came out of the blue, despite his efforts to be transparent about a similar project just down the road.
State Highway 1B Telephone Road reopened on Wednesday, as final surfacing works for the safety upgrade have been completed. However, the rail crossing remains closed until late July so KiwiRail can complete signalling work.
The Government will spend more than $600m to upgrade the rail network as part of this year's Budget. The funding includes $461m to maintain & improve freight rail, & more than $140m to replace & upgrade metro rail in Auckland & Wellington.
KiwiRail has announced its Aratere Interislander ferry will retire by the end of August and is warning of job cuts and that passenger and freight capacity will take a hit.
Lyttelton Port Company expects to see a bump in freight volumes when the only rail-enabled Interislander ferry retires this year.
During a recent A R A Heritage Buses Volunteer Day, bus 210 was given a run around the yard after getting some TLC on the door control system. Bus 1807 was also started, moved around the yard and received a cleaning.
Interislander operator KiwiRail says with the Aratere gone, passengers may need to travel on less popular sailings or be more flexible with dates. But it says there will be no price-gouging or considerable increases to ticket prices.
More investment in Whanganui public transport has been backed by members of the public, with a high-frequency network the most popular option.
The Takaanini Station Park'nRide will have reduced capacity from May 26 till October 10 while KiwiRail occupies a section of the facility to support their rail maintenance and upgrade works.
Island Direct's ferry Te Waipiki will remain out of service until 30 May due to full engine replacement works currently underway. Island Direct are looking to expand the fleet to two vessels to minimise the impact of any future disruptions.
KiwiRail & Matamata-Piako District Council are removing some trees & trimming the remaining ones along the rail line adjacent to SH27 in Matamata. Fencing will also be installed between the Tainui St & Burwood Rd crossings, to deter people from entering the corridor.
A Dunedin shoplifter who hopped on a bus to make his getaway with stolen phones worth $5300 did not get far. Police tracked the bus down and arrested the man while he was on-board.
From June 28 to July 11 the Pine Harbour Ferry will be running a reduced service due to planned vessel maintenance.
Greater Wellington Regional councillor Thomas Nash is trumpeting new bus lane data as he delivers a hint of a seventh person joining Wellington’s mayoral race, from the political left.
KiwiRail’s revitalised Hillside Workshops in Dunedin were officially opened last week by Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.
New bollards have been installed on the Galway Street side of the upgraded Waitematā Station Plaza. A large weatherproof covering has been installed above the old fountain skylight and works are currently focused on levelling the surrounding surfaces.
Bluebridge's new ferry Livia has received its new livery and is now sporting a fresh Bluebridge blue. Livia has to make a few stops in Europe and the UK before heading to Wellington via the Panama Canal. The ship's journey can be tracked here.
It is back to the drawing board for proposed bus services in the Selwyn district as Environment Canterbury struggles with growing demand and limited funds, chairperson Craig Pauling says.
D16 from Pleasant Point Railway and A64 from the Plains Railway have been loaded for transport to Ferrymead to help celebrate FRONZ's 50th celebrations being held over King's birthday weekend.
City Rail Link shared photos of the noise shed removal underway at the bottom of Mercury Lane. The structure has been sold to a steel fabrication company in the far north and will soon get a new lease of life.
Even with the announcement that the Government would pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the country’s rail network, there was no guarantee from Wairarapa Line operators that it would improve the region’s woeful passenger service.
KiwiRail has rejected a call for trains to be banned from travelling through Matamata straight after school ends following a teenager’s death.
The last two carriages of the Auckland SA/SD sets stored at Taumarunui were removed on Tuesday morning. The SA/SD carriages are bound for Wellington where they will be stored until reuse plans are made. Video - Peter Rumble - TRAC Taumarunui Rail Action Centre.
Auckland Transport staff have been handing out flyers to passengers at Waitematā station detailing the King’s Birthday weekend extended rail network closure. The flyer details the reasons for the work, what rail buses will operate & the accessible service booking details.
With towns such as Rolleston and Rangiora growing rapidly and without a strong public transport network in place, a transport engineer and planner says the key routes in and out of the city are headed for gridlock.
Flexible bus services across Waipā towns still appear to be years away, despite a significant increase in passenger numbers on the region’s two main public transport routes.
Auckland Transport is spending tens of millions of dollars to improve public safety on its buses and trains – but also to stop people from riding for free. Figures released under the Official Information Act show most of those fined for free rides also aren't paying up.
Waikato Regional Council voted to keep public transport rates the same in Hamilton, and to not return a $2.545 million surplus to ratepayers, in Tuesday’s annual plan deliberations. The decisions split councillors, with some accusing others of not following what the community wanted.
A Dunedin group dedicated to preserving the city’s military history is delighted with a major aspect of the refurbished KiwiRail Hillside Workshops, the refurbished site, includes an impressive war memorial and memorial park.
The Western Springs Railway team have been riveting the roof onto Barclay 1270’s cab as part of a restoration project.
Auckland Transport released a request for proposals to design a Whangaparaoa Bus Station.
Great Journeys New Zealand confirmed The Southerner will return again over Labour Weekend, 25th-27th October. This follows a sold-out May Southerner return which ran between May 17th and 20th.
Ruapehu District Council Mayor Weston Kirton is welcoming the removal of the last of the train carriages from the Taumarunui rail yards, saying it was a turning point that clears the way for new economic development opportunities.
Waikato Regional Council has released an advanced notice on the intention to conduct a tender process to rebrand the Waikato public transport brand.
City Rail Link shared a video on the Maungawhau Station spoil shed removal. The spoil shed was installed in 2021 to collect spoil mined from the tunnels and site, It will now have a new life in Kopu near Thames to store wood chip.
A Gulf Harbour resident has spoken out about how “jaw droppingly inadequate” and “stunningly disrespectful” ferry services have been for commuters trying to get into the CBD.
KiwiRail staff and Mana Whenua partners blessed the opening of the third main platform at Middlemore Station. The third main has already seen use with an AT EMU using the tracks during a track fault on Thursday morning.
If you missed getting to ride the return of The Southerner, you are in luck, as Geoff Mackley has shared some fantastic footage of The Southerner back on the tracks!