Auckland Transport has officially marked the arrival of the last of the city’s 57 electric trains with a function at the Wiri Train Depot attended by the Prime Minister.
The last three trains from Spanish manufacturer CAF arrived last week and are now going through final checks at the depot prior to certification.
Auckland Transport chairman Dr. Lester Levy says it’s been a swift journey since the contract signing in October 2011.
“In less than four years we have seen 57 three-car trains roll off the production line in Spain, they’re all here now, delivered on time and budget.”
Levy says more than 14 million trips are now being made on the Auckland rail network each year.
“In 2003 when Britomart opened less than three million trips were being taken each year.”
He says this project had support from the Government including a $500 million loan to fund the electric trains and the Wiri depot.
“There has also been a government grant of $90 million and one of $40 million from Auckland Council,” says Levy.
“The arrival of these trains marks the culmination of the Government’s $1.6 billion, decade-long investment in three Auckland metro rail projects,” says transport minister Simon Bridges.
“Over the next three years, $4.2 billion will be invested to build a robust transport system for Auckland.”
The first electric trains began operating on the Onehunga line in April 2014, and the network from Papakura in the south to Swanson in the West went all-electric just a few weeks ago on July 20.
Each train has seating for 232 passengers and standing room for more.
