Changes to Johnsonville train services
As a result of extensive mechanical issues with the English Electric trains that operate on the Johnsonville line and customer calls for more service consistency, a decision has been made by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Tranz Metro to use a combination of trains and express bus services in the morning peak to assist with reduced capacity on trains until Matangi are introduced on the line on Monday 19 March.
Tranz Metro will operate the usual timetabled services on the Johnsonville line using three trains (one four-car train and two two-car trains), supplementing the 7:46am and 7:58am train services from Johnsonville to Wellington with an express bus. There will also be an express bus that leaves Crofton Downs at 8:00am to assist with passenger numbers at that station.
The buses will be express to Wellington, while the trains will make their usual stops.
In addition to the usual train services, these buses will be running at the same time every weekday over the next six weeks.
“Lower passenger numbers on the other services means we will have enough trains to cope with demand. However, we will continue to monitor passenger numbers and extra bus services may be required on some occasions to cope with extra demand,” says Tranz Metro Manager Scott Brooks.
Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council's Economic Wellbeing Committee, says the English Electric trains operating on the Johnsonville line are more than 60 years old and beyond their economic life. “After years of sterling service, we have had to recently de-commission some of them due to the extent and cost of the mechanical work required. It is simply uneconomical to pay for the repairs, which could run into the hundreds of thousands, only to have them operating on the line for a very short period of time. I’m sure ratepayers would agree that this is not good use of our funds.”
“We know the disruption Johnsonville commuters have experienced must be frustrating. We are doing the best we can to minimise disruption by implementing a regular and consistent solution to our English Electric shortage. Tranz Metro is looking forward to the introduction of the Matangi trains in six weeks’ time when all English Electrics will be removed, and we will be able to offer passengers a more efficient, comfortable and reliable service,” Mr Brooks says.
Questions and Answers
Why have there been so many disruptions on the Johnsonville line in the past two weeks?
We have been experiencing mechanical issues with the English Electric trains which have caused subsequent disruptions on the Johnsonville line. The English Electric trains operating on the Johnsonville line are 60 years old, making it the oldest fleet in Australasia. The mechanical faults include a compressor fault, electrical faults, wheel replacements and compulsory service.
We have also had to recently de-commission some of the English Electrics due to the extent and cost of the mechanical work required. It is simply uneconomical to pay for the repairs, which could run into the hundreds of thousands, only to have them operating on the line for a very short period of time.
When do the new trains arrive?
Matangi will be introduced on the Johnsonville line on Monday 19 March following the morning peak, when all English Electrics will be removed from this line, and we will be able to offer passengers a more efficient and reliable service.
Why can’t the current ones be fixed?
Extensive and costly repairs to trains that are about to be retired is not an efficient or a responsible use of ratepayers’ money. Tranz Metro is working very hard to keep as many in service as possible.
Why can’t the Ganz Mavag trains be used on the Johnsonville line or Matangi introduced sooner?
The Ganz Mavag trains can’t operate on the Johnsonville line due to its grade, and 19 March is the earliest date we are able to introduce Matangi to the Johnsonville line due to the training and commissioning schedule.
What locations are the train replacement bus stops?
Use Google Maps to see where the train replacement bus stops are located. The bus stops are in the following locations for:
- Johnsonville Station – Stop A near the Johnsonville Station car park
- Crofton Downs Station – Station car park
Where can customers find more information about these planned disruptions?
You can call Metlink on 0800 801 700 for disruption information or subscribe to the Metro Alert text message or email service.
How are we communicating to customers about this planned disruption?
From Friday 3 February 2012, there will be posters at the Wellington Railway Station and at every station on the Johnsonville line, radio ads, newspaper ads, a media release as well as information on the Tranz Metro and Metlink websites.
Will passengers receive a discount on fares due to the planned disruption?
No, passengers won’t be offered a discount on fares during this planned disruption as a service is still being provided.
What happens if there more mechanical issues with the English Electric trains. Will there be more train services affected?
Greater Wellington Regional Council and Tranz Metro will reassess the planned disruption if more English Electric trains have mechanical issues that aren’t cost effective to repair. Once a decision is made, passengers will be advised.