On the Remutaka buses – not the trains – again

Wairarapa-to-Wellington commuters face seven weeks “on the buses” over the hill from 26 December as KiwiRail does “extensive” upgrade work on the line so it can cope with faster trains and more frequent services. 

In a statement, KiwiRail said buses will replace Wairarapa trains for 46 days _ 26 December to 10 January _ so it can replace and repair 70-year-old track in the 8.8km Remutaka Tunnel.

Some $800 million of new hybrid commuter trains due on the service by 2028-29 are behind the rail track upgrade.

It will increase speeds on the line from 90 kmh to 110 kmh according to Transport Minister Simeon Brown, result in fewer speed restrictions and ensure more freqwuent services.

Greater Wellington transport chair Thomas Nash said with this longer-than-normal holiday rail closedown, Metlink buses is working with Transdev rail and KiwiRail to give “plenty of advance notice of bus  frequencies and services.”

The upgrade involves about 1.4 km of new rail track and 11,600-odd sleepers.

Nash said the programme would see the familiar holiday bus replacements for railway maintenance extended for longer.

“I acknowledge this will be challenging for some people (commuters),” he said.

For that reaason, the project “will be communicating regularly about how and where to catch bus replacements – as well as working with KiwiRail to communicate the significant work being undertaken to futureproof the rail network.”

Metlink will shortly launch an information campaign to advise of the planned seven-plus week closedown and further explain the Wairarapa rail line upgrade project, he added.