22 December 2006

Greater Wellington and Tranz Metro have just completed an audit on peak train usage that will help to determine the next steps for alleviating overcrowding on Wellington’s commuter trains.

The audit, carried out in late November, consisted of a station by station, carriage by carriage passenger count on all lines throughout the morning peak period.

Passenger Transport Committee Chair Glen Evans says the audit will allow Greater Wellington and Tranz Metro to find out how and when each carriage on each train reaches capacity.

“We are currently analysing the raw data. Once this is done, we’ll determine typical passenger loading patterns on each line and develop operational solutions to address overcrowding where the problem is recurring.”

Councillor Evans says Greater Wellington is making good progress with current investigations to find solutions to overcrowded trains:

• Toll Holdings’ Professional Services Group is investigating solutions to overcrowding including assessing the cost and likely timescale of re-commissioning out-of-service 3-car English Electric Units. The results will be compared to the costs and benefits of reconfiguring seats on the Ganz Mavag trains.
• Work is almost complete on assessing the cost of re-commissioning either diesel or electric locomotives and the sourcing and refurbishing costs of second hand carriages from the UK and Australia.

Options to address overcrowding on trains will be considered in early 2007. Greater Wellington’s Passenger Transport Committee expects to make a decision on a preferred solution at its February 2007 meeting. Planning and design for the implementation of the preferred solution will begin in the first quarter of 2007, subject to funding.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Rhona Hewitt
Procurement Manager
Public Transport Division
Greater Wellington Regional Council
P 04 802 0353
M 027 443 5647
E rhona.hewitt@gw.govt.nz