Auckland Transport and CAF signed contract for another 15 three-car electric trains. The contract valuated at EUR 100 million includes also vehicle maintenance services for an 8-year term. The first of the new trains will be put into service from 2019 on Southern, Eastern and Western Lines.
In addition, the contract has an extension option to fit the units with battery packages. This would enable them to run on the line section between Papakura and Pukekohe, which is not currently electrified. The units would replace the old diesel units that are currently in service on this section.
“We need to put on bigger trains to meet the demand and we need to be ready for when the tracks are electrified between Papakura and Pukekohe,” Auckland Transport chairman Lester Levy said.
Currently, there are 57 three-car electric units operating in Auckland, produced by CAF.
The new contract is funded by NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Council.
In the past year more than 20 million trips have been taken on Auckland’s trains, an increase of 16 percent on the previous year.
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