An "aging train fleet" is the reason for cancellations and
delays on Wellington's rail network this morning, KiwiRail
says.
Three trains experienced mechanical issues, KiwiRail
spokesman Nigel Parry said.
The 7.05am Taita service in the Hutt Valley was cancelled
this morning after a mechanical fault, while the 7.19am Taita
service was delayed by up to 10 minutes by another mechanical
issue.
The 10am Upper Hutt service was cancelled after yet another
mechanical fault.
Mr Parry said the faults were a result of an "ageing train
fleet", with trains up to 28 years-old.
"Operational issues" also delayed three other trains into
Wellington this morning.
The Capital Connection service arrived late due to congestion
on the tracks, Mr Parry said.
Trains were cancelled and delayed yesterday after a series of
different faults.
A mechanical fault led to yesterday's 7.27am and 8am Taita
services being cancelled, while a signal and points failure
around 11am saw trains replaced by buses between Plimmerton
and Paraparaumu.
A telecommunications fault near Trentham, in the Hutt Valley,
caused delays of up to 40 minutes on the Hutt Valley line
between 6.50am and 8.10am yesterday.
The same fault also led to the cancellation of the 8.10am
Plimmerton train, on the main trunk line north.
They were the latest of numerous faults in recent months
which had coincided with a drop in commuter numbers.
KiwiRail was currently upgrading the Wellington train
network, including a new main line and an upgrade of the
overhead line system which powering electric trains.
Passenger numbers had fallen over the seven months to
February, but Mr Parry expected passenger numbers would
increase once the upgrades were completed next year.
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