Weekly Review No.85
This week, Motu Move rollout delayed again, Wellington Cable Car announces extended maintenance shutdown and Te Huia moves toward a Sunday Service.
Welcome to the Weekly Review, with King’s Birthday on Monday this week has flown by and the transport news has kept flowing albeit at a slower rate than usual, let's review the week that was in the 85th edition of the NZ Transit Buzz Weekly Review.
A critical step towards a return Sunday Te Huia service has been taken, with Waikato Regional Council approving the reallocation of reserve funds to cover the cost.
The Sunday service timings and start date are still to be confirmed as they require approval from KiwiRail’s National Timetable Committee.
KiwiRail said their new DM class locomotives have just completed testing through the Otira Tunnel and along the Midland line, with the DM’s performance being reviewed in case of any adjustments.
Bus passenger numbers across ORC’s Queenstown Public Transport services continue to increase, but to a backdrop of falling revenue as NZ Transport Authority subsidies decline.
Wellington is known for its steep, narrow streets. Sometimes, the roads are so tight they have caught many able bus drivers off guard, leading to their buses getting stuck. Stuff can now reveal that this has happened nine times in the capital since 2020.
KiwiRail is winning new business and reducing costs, its chief executive says, as ministers continue to demand improvements to justify the billions of dollars invested in the state-owned rail operator.
Wellington's Cable Car will see an extended Annual Maintenance Shutdown from 21 July to 10 August. The extended shutdown allows for new entry and exit gates to be installed at the Lambton Terminal, restoring seating in Car 2 and painting Salamanca Station.
KiwiRail began initial inspections of the 55km stretch of line between Kauri and Otiria. The information gathered will help KR understand the cost and scope of work needed to reopen the line, as part of the Marsden Point Rail Link.
Work to upgrade the Otiria rail yard is underway with culverts being constructed, a new swale channel is being dug out and lined and new security fencing is being installed along Otiria Road.
The Liverpool Street level crossing in Levin reopened after being resurfaced and upgraded. The crossing had been closed for 6 weeks to allow for the upgrade works to be completed.
Beginning June 3, northbound morning trips are now departing a few minutes earlier from Huntly (6:39 am) and Pukekohe (7.27 am) stations during weekdays. A new timetable will be published online shortly.
Five double-decker buses have been wrapped in the police livery and will be driven around Auckland for the next three months as part of a recruitment advertising campaign.
Auckland Transport is seeking feedback to improve Mount Smart Road. A T3 transit lane heading towards the roundabout from Victoria Street to the Royal Oak roundabout has been proposed that will operate from 4-7 pm weekdays.
The coalition Government is leaving it open as to what entity will operate the new Cook Strait ferries from late 2029. It will not necessarily be KiwiRail, which operates the current ferry fleet.
Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little released a joint policy to reduce the cost of public transport. Under the weekly fare cap, public transport users will pay for a maximum of eight trips per week, with any additional trips free.
A lack of action at Dunedin’s bus hub is leading to overcrowding and dangerous conditions elsewhere as fearful students congregate at another stop, a principal says.
The overbridge for Drury Station has been craned into place. The overbridge connects the Great South Road platform with the platform that will be located near Flanagan Road.
A new bus service proposed by Bentley Coachlines between Rolleston and Christchurch is being explored, aiming to ease demand on the current overloaded public transport options.
Two Christchurch high school students have urged city councillors to improve safety at the city's bus interchange.
By Harrison McEvoy via his Foamerman Substack: Falling out of love with rail has cost this country a better way of getting around.
60 new bus shelters have been installed in Christchurch's eastern suburbs, with 55 of the stops not previously having shelters and five are replacing older infrastructure. Construction is underway with around 15 new shelters already completed.
A WSP study commissioned by KiwiRail found nearly half of New Zealand motorists do not always stop at level crossing Stop signs or prepare to stop at Give Way signs.
Due to 'challenges with the delivery of complex components' of Motu Move, NZTA has delayed introducing Motu Move in Timaru and Temuka mid-year as planned. Work is underway to deliver new ways to pay into Canterbury while working on the broader solution.
Transport advocacy groups the Public Transport Users Association and Campaign for Better Transport are hosting a public meeting to discuss Trains to Huapai on 7 June 2025.
A preview of the mostly completed Wellesley St entrance concourse to Te Waihorotiu station was shared by City Rail Link. The concourse still awaits permanent lighting fixtures, but wayfinding signage, gate lines and ticket machines are already in place.
Wellington Airport launched a new fully electric bus into service this week. The Yutong E9L has begun taking travellers to and from the long-term carpark every 15 minutes.
