Improvements to Johnsonville line on the way
Improvements to Johnsonville line on the
way Greater Wellington’s Passenger Transport Committee
today agreed to recommendations in the North Wellington
Public Transport Study to purchase 12 new trains (Electric
Multiple Units or EMUs) and undertake improvements to the
tunnels on the Johnsonville railway line. “There is no
doubt that on the basis of this report, 12 new units on the
Johnsonville line are justified and alterations to the
tunnel are absolutely essential,” says Cr Glen Evans,
Chair of the Passenger Transport Committee. “There’s no
option for the future – bus or rail – that doesn’t
require the tunnels to be improved.” Cr Evans says that
Greater Wellington is now committed to looking at the
remaining sections of the Regional Land Transport Strategy
that have yet to be tackled. “The northern transport
sector is an important contributor to the region’s network
but only one part of the Ngauranga to airport study area. We
will need to evaluate the best options that will serve the
Ngauranga to airport corridor. This is recognised as a
critical corridor for the Wellington region. “In the
meantime, the study is an important step in the process to
improve our public transport system and provides us with the
technical and public input to justify a better service on
the Johnsonville railway
line.” ENDS
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News release
16 November
2006