Auckland Transport awarded CAF a EUR 130 million contract for the supply of 23 new electric trains, with an option for up to 5 additional EMUs. The contract also includes the delivery of maintenance services until the end of 2025.
The new EMUs will be similar to the 72 units previously supplied for Auckland commuter rail network. The trains consist of three cars, two cabbed end motor cars and one intermediate trailer car, and have a total capacity for 380 passengers.
The car structure is made of stainless steel and each car is equipped with two passenger access doors per side. Also, the intermediate car is low floor to facilitate access for persons with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.
In 2011, Auckland Transport awarded CAF a contract for the supply of 57 electric units and their maintenance for 12 years and in 2017 a further order for 15 units was exercised. All the 72 supplied electric trains are currently in revenue service in Auckland.
The CAF train fleet has completed a mileage in excess of 33 million km and has played an essential role in the increase in passenger numbers using public transport across Auckland.
Recently, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail signed the rail franchise contract which covers the operation and maintenance of city’s rail network.
The city is also developing its rail infrastructure for which a governmental approval was obtained for the electrification of the 19 km Papakura – Pukekohe rail line which includes the redevelopment of Pukekohe station. The project is part of Auckland Metro Programme implemented by KiwiRail which has a value of more than USD 1 billion.
In addition, the city is implementing the USD 3.8 billion City Rail Link project covering the construction of a 3.45 km twin-tunnel connecting downtown at Britomart with a re-developed Mt Eden station on the Western Line. Two new underground stations will open up central city access. The project is expected to be completed in 2024 when 54,000 passengers an hour will use CRL stations at peak times.
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