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 | |
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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. |
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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. |
2019/12/02 - Indicative Business Case
National Land Transport Programme 2024-27
