Good afternoon Isaac

I'd like to acknowledge receipt of your official information request for information on KiwiRail’s upgrade of the Wellington Metro network.
We received your request on 27 November 2024, and will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 16 January 2025, i.e. the 20 working days after the day your request was received.
If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

I’ll be looking after your request, so any questions please get in touch with me at this email address, or on the number below.

Cheers
Dave

Dave Allard  | Senior Government Relations Advisor
DDI: 027 201 8182
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

www.kiwirail.co.nz

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Good afternoon Isaac.

 

I am responding to your recent OIA request asking:

 

I would like to make an OIA regarding information to the current progress,
future work and estimated time of completion for the Wellington Upgrade
Program and other associated developments.

 

Specifically what progress has been made in regard to the Wellington ETCS
Program, removing the single track bottle neck Kâpiti line, the removal of
temporary speed restrictions, and station access improvements.

 

Furthermore are there any plans to increase line speeds along sections of
track where it is viable, to me there are several places were line speed
could be improved. For example between Waikanae and Paraparaumu, or other
places on the line, if not why not. I understand that increasing frequency
is extremely important in attracting more riders at some point speed must
be increased to make it more attractive, especially for trips between
centers that are not the CBD. I have seen Kiwirail say that they will
increase speed but never where or by how much. To me it seems like
Kiwirail isn't all that interested as freight trains wouldn't be able to
utilise such upgrades.

 

Please find our response below.

 

KiwiRail is making strong progress on the Wellington Metro Upgrade
Programme.  I attach our latest newsletters for the Wellington Station
work, which includes an update on the planned switch from manual to
computer-based signalling in January next year, and the work happening on
the Wairarapa line, including level crossing upgrades and the full
replacement of track inside the Remutaka Tunnel over summer. 

 

You are welcome to sign up for future updates by emailing us at
[1][email address] or [2][email address]

 

As you probably know, the Wellington Metro Upgrade project is delivering
major improvements to the region's rail infrastructure, building the
capacity needed to increase the frequency of commuter services and for the
arrival of Greater Wellington's new hybrid electric trains.  Greater
Wellington is in the process of procuring the new trains, and we are well
underway with preparing the lines for these faster, and more frequent
services.  On 5 December 2024, the Government announced an investment of
$137.2 in substation upgrades which will deliver the additional power
needed to operate a higher frequency timetable, this work is scheduled for
completion in late 2028.

 

Regarding the Wellington ETCS programme.  KiwiRail and our Wellington rail
partners are currently preparing a Detailed Business Case for this
upgrade.

 

To answer your question about line speed:

 

Looking at the opportunity to increase line speeds for passenger services
on the Wairarapa and North Island Main Trunk line (Kapiti line), with the
arrival of the new trains, is a key part of the project.  

 

Modelling work tells us that 110 km/h is the optimal maximum speed.  This
speed avoids excessive curve wear,  due to passenger and freight trains
operating at different speeds, and speeds above 110 km/h have 'diminishing
returns' – the train only operates at peak speeds for a short time, before
slowing down for curves or stations. Due to the many curves and other
constraints in the network, speed increases above 110 km/h result in
minimal improvements to journey time.

 

With the full renewal of the 8.8km Remutaka Tunnel, we expect to be able
to remove speeds restrictions which will trim approximately three minutes
off that part of the journey. 

 

On the North Island Main Trunk, work is underway to refine the scope and
confirm the locations we can target for line speed improvements.

 

We have a busy maintenance programme in place across the entire Wellington
network which also has a positive impact on our ability to reduce speed
restrictions.  You may have seen Government's announcement of a $52. 9
million investment in essential maintenance, which includes replacing
aging track infrastructure, maintaining bridges, improving culverts and
seawalls and stabilising some slopes. 

 

Overall, increasing line speeds relies on a number of factors, including
signalling systems, level crossings, and the condition of the track and
bridges. The existing trains that operate on the Wairarapa and Manawatu
services are not designed to operate at 110 km/h, so line speed upgrades
are being planned to coincide with the introduction of the LNIRIM trains.

 

We trust that answers your queries – as ever, if you have any further
questions please feel free to get in touch.

 

As this has been answered under the OIA, you have the right to seek an
investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.

 

Kind regards

 

Dave

 

Dave Allard  | Senior Government Relations Advisor

DDI: 027 201 8182
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[3]Description: Description: cid:image001.png@01D46098.E77643D0

[4]www.kiwirail.co.nz

 

References

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1. mailto:[email address]
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4. http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/