More electric trains coming for Auckland

Auckland Transport (AT) is buying an additional 23 electric trains, the first arriving in Auckland in mid-2024.

The follow-on order with Spanish rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) will add to the existing fleet of 72 ‘AM Class’ Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) running on the city’s rails since 2014. 

“With more than 40% of Auckland’s carbon emissions coming from transport, providing Aucklanders with the option to use public transport — such as our growing fleet of electric trains and buses — is a critical part of our response to the climate crisis,” Auckland mayor Phil Goff says

 “This investment in our transport network is made possible thanks to Aucklanders’ support for the Regional Fuel Tax, and the 23 new trains means 95 electric trains running on our network.

 “They will provide more sustainable low-emissions transport choices for Aucklanders and make it easier and faster to get around the city by public transport.”

The new trains will complement the Auckland Council’s proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate, which further decarbonises the city’s ferry fleet and provides more public transport, walking and cycling options.

 AT chief executive Shane Ellison says the new trains will provide capacity for expected growth as rail projects across the city are nearing completion.

 “We know that the when the City Rail Link is opened and the electrification project to Pukekohe is complete, more Aucklanders will use our train services as their mode of choice when travelling across the Auckland region.”

The new trains are part of a $330 million investment package in rail by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and AT – which includes additional trains, modifications to the existing fleet for better service performance and expansion to train stabling facilities.

NZTA Auckland and Northland regional relationships director Steve Mutton says the $164m contribution to the package from the agency is part of a $2.8 billion investment in public transport in Auckland through the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme.

“Rail makes up the majority of Auckland’s current rapid transit network and plays a key role in moving large numbers of people, especially at peak times to the city centre, as well as being a critical part of the national freight network.

“This investment recognises that the rail network will become even more important in meeting growing travel demand and shaping urban form in the city in the future.”

Improvements includes modifications allowing for operations in the City Rail Link tunnels, and for trains to operate as a nine-car set in future.

Auckland’s electric rail network operates west to Swanson, and south to Papakura with KiwiRail extending this to Pukekohe.

Meanwhile, Auckland is set for tunnelled light rail from the city centre to Mt Roskill then above ground alongside SH20 to Auckland Airport, with a new Waitematā Harbour crossing to be decided in 2023.

The Government confirmed that as its preferred option which will be part of a 30-year rapid transport plan for the city and will become New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project.

Full construction is expected to take six to eight years.

It will be able to carry up to 15,000 passengers per hour at peak – four times more passengers than a dedicated busway or trackless trams.

One of three options presented to Cabinet last year, it was recommended by the Auckland Light Rail Establishment Unit with an expected cost of $14.6 billion.