Auckland rail upgrade
Over the past five years, patronage on Auckland’s trains has more than doubled, rising to over 7.5 million passenger journeys per annum. This number is forecast to continue to grow strongly. In addition, significant investment has been made by both regional and central government in redeveloping Auckland’s rail network. This includes track works, upgrading stations and the building of carriage trains to meet the increased demand for rail travel.
Latest news
Rail grinder makes for smoother ride
In October 2012, KiwiRail began deploying a rail grinder on its network. The rail grinder extends the lifespan of the track by smoothing and removing defective metal from the railhead, resulting in faster and more reliable train journeys.
A rail grinder of this type and scale has never been used on New Zealand’s rail network before. It's huge, noisy and creates sparks as it goes - it's exciting, but KiwiRail recommends that people keep their distance. Instead, why not have a look at the video on their site?
See more information and watch a video on the KiwiRail website
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This song, written and recorded by train driver Lawrence Foakes, supported by his employer Veolia Transport Auckland, aims to educate young children about safe behaviour around trains, along railway tracks and at stations. The song was released
to coincide with Rail Safety Week 2012. |
Upgrading rail stations
Auckland Transport is working towards upgrading the region’s rail stations to accommodate longer trains and greater passenger numbers, improve security and information, and to meet disability access standards.
The new rail stations all have modern shelters and seating, CCTV security monitoring, emergency help points, improved lighting, improved access for the mobility impaired, safety markings including yellow tactile strips strategically placed on platform for the visually impaired, public address system, information display boards showing timetable information and way finding signage/maps.
Further information is available on this site on Auckland's new passenger trains (Electronic Multiple Units), the electrification of the rail network in Auckland to co-incide with the new passenger units trains, and details of the station upgrade programme.
Read On Board (PDF1.16MB) to keep up with the changes affecting railways and rail travel in Auckland.
Contact us if you have further enquiries about this project