Project

Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Program

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Program

The Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Program includes the delivery of 18 new trains and infrastructure improvements to the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines, station improvements, and delivery of a maintenance depot in Masterton.

The contract to deliver the new trains includes the design, construction and maintenance of the fleet over a 35-year term. 

Key Dates

Dec 2023 ROIs Open
2025 Expected Contract Award
2025 Expected Construction Commencement
2028 Expected Construction Completion
2029 Expected Operations/Service Commencement

Funding contributions

NZ Government

The project is being co-funded by the Government, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils.

NZ$455 million (A$421 million) is being commited through the 2023 Budget to provide co-funding for Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council to support the dellivery of the programme. NZ$350 million (A$322 million) is being committed through the National Land Transport Programme to progress delivery, including purchase of new trains.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Shortlist: Alstom Rail Transportation New Zealand; Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S.A.; and Stadler Bussnang AG.
Procurement note:

KiwiRail will be deliver the track infrastructure, stabling and platform upgrades.

PROJECT HISTORY

Dec 2019 An indicative business case for the replacement of the Lower North Island Longer Distance Rolling Stock was published by Greater Wellington Regional Council.
May 2020 NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi provided NZ$5 million to Greater Wellington Regional Council to undertake further detailed investigations and prepare a Detailed Business Case and Procurement Strategy.
Nov 2020 Greater Wellington Regional Council commenced an RFP process for the preparation of the Detailed Business Case and capital/operating funding applications, closing 30 November.
May 2022 The Detailed Business Case was published by Greater Wellington Regional Council to the public, outlining the need for an updated rail service to accommodate a growing population in the greater Wellington area.
Apr 2023 The NZ Government made a pre-budget announcement confirming the funding commitment for the program, including the purchase of 18 four-car, tri-mode trains for the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines.
Nov 2023 The Detailed Business Case was approved.
Dec 2023 Greater Wellington Regional Council opened an ROI for the procurement and maintenance of the new fleet of rolling stock, closing 26 January 2024.
Jul 2024 The NZ Government announced a co-funding agreement of NZ$803 million between the Government, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils.
Jul 2024 Greater Wellington Regional Council announced the shortlist for the design, build and maintenance of the trains over 35 years.
Sep 2024 The National Land Transport Programme 2024-27 was released, allocating NZ$350 million (A$322 million) to the project over the next three years to progress delivery including the purchase of new trains.