Wairarapa And Dunedin Benefit From New Rail Deal

Thursday 29 September 2005

Wairarapa And Dunedin Benefit From New Rail Deal

Toll NZ has welcomed the news they have won the contract to provide 18 new carriages for Wairarapa train commuters. While it is good news for the half million passengers who use the service annually it is also good news for Dunedin where the carriages will be built.

Work on the project will begin later this year and all sets will be in use by 2007.

Toll NZ CEO David Jackson says, "the type of train sets Toll NZ will be providing for the Greater Wellington Regional Council are modelled on the highly successful lay-out used on the Capital Connection, which runs between Palmerston North and Wellington.

"Our Toll Rail design engineers in Wellington, who undertook the design work for the new carriages, are to be congratulated on their efforts on this project, which will deliver a unique and world class product."

The new carriages will have their own toilet facilities, and each train set will have a servery area for refreshments. Passenger comfort will be catered for with premium quality seating and the latest in lighting and air conditioning. Access will also be improved for those with disabilities.

Greater Wellington Regional Council Chairman Ian Buchanan says, along with rail users, he looks forward to seeing the new carriages, which will be big step forward in both quality and comfort.

"We are also delighted that, after following a stringent procurement process, it became evident that our own home grown industry was able to meet all the necessary criteria to produce a world class product here."

Toll says they are eager to get moving on the project with the key work taking place at the Hillside workshops in Dunedin that have successfully worked on the Auckland Regional Council's SA and SD cars. The new carriage contract will ensure ongoing employment growth at Hillside where staff numbers have doubled in the past 20 months.

Mr Jackson says, "the resurgence of rail in New Zealand is creating opportunities throughout the community and Toll are keen to ensure these are maximised - "our own industry has clearly demonstrated they have the staff capability and technology to do the job."

ENDS

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