Due To Major Slip Closing Road And Rail Links South Of Kaikoura, Tranzcoastal Passenger Train Services Suspended

KiwiRail has announced that, due to a major slip south of Kaikoura in South Island, the TranzCoastal passenger train service is temporarily suspended and a bus replacement cannot be provided. The slip has blocked the railway line between Christchurch and Picton, which runs through Kaikoura, and also State Highway 1 which runs alongside.

“Cancelling the service until the slip is cleared was our only realistic option,” says Deborah Hume, General Manager Rail Passenger for KiwiRail. “We apologise for the disruption to our customers but as the road is closed as well we cannot run a coach replacement and hope to keep even remotely to timetable or meet the Interislander ferry.”

The only alternative route for coaches, via the Lewis Pass and Wairau Valley, would almost double the journey time and miss out most stops along the route.

“We are working with New Zealand Transport Agency and other transport providers to see when the service will be up and running again, which may take several days. We will make an announcement about resumption of the service as soon as we can,” adds Deborah Hume. “In the meantime we are contacting all the passengers we can to offer alternative dates or a refund on their fare.”

The TranzAlpine, which runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth, is unaffected.

Passengers wishing to check the status of the TranzCoastal should call 0800 872468. The number is staffed 7am to 7pm both weekdays and weekends.

ENDS

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