Electric trains for Auckland

Auckland's electric trains include the latest developments in railway technology and safety, and will be faster, quieter and energy efficient, making rail travel an attractive option for the city's residents and visitors.

Latest updates

18 December

Testing of the new electric trains is well underway with the first train out on the lines near Wiri six nights a week.

Testing starts at 9.30pm each night and continues until 4 in the morning with a team of engineers from Spain and New Zealand on board. 

The train being tested has been loaded with sandbags to simulate a full passenger load

Read more - see pictures

See TVONE video of the test run

9 October 2013

Media release: Warning about safety around the new electric trains

4 October​

Media release: On-track testing has started for Auckland’s new electric trains

12 September

The first electric train has been revealed at a special unveiling at Wiri Depot.

The train arrived at the Ports of Auckland on 24 August and was taken to Wiri Depot for further testing, commissioning and driver training. The trains will be gradually introduced into passenger service on a line by line basis until all 57 electric trains are in service later in 2015. 

Auckland Transport’s Chairman, Dr Lester Levy says the trains signify a new era in public transport in Auckland.

26 August

Media release: First of Auckland's new trains arrive in the city

July

First of Auckland's electric trains recently rolled off the production line at the CAF factory in Spain. Auckland Transport's chief executive David Warburton visited the factory and saw the electric units at close quarters.     

June 7 2013

First video of the trains in construction has sent from the manufacturing plant in Spain. The first completed three car unit will arrive in Auckland in September for testing  

Photo progress of the trains' construction

Video: how the new electric trains will change train travel in Auckland

19 December 2012 

Learn more about how the new electric trains for Auckland will make train travel safer and more enjoyable. This video explains a little history about Auckland’s passenger train service and how the electric trains will play a large part in the new era for public transport for Auckland. 

Read more Electric trains updates and news

• Fifty-seven brand new electric trains comprising 2 motor cars and 1 trailer car
• Each train carries up to 375 passengers
• Electric trains offer a faster, more frequent service
• Electric trains are environmentally friendly – energy efficient, quieter, and make no air pollution

In October 2011 Auckland Transport signed a supply agreement with Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles in Spain to purchase Auckland's first electric trains, also known as Electric Multiple Units or EMUs. 

The purchase will result in a major improvement to the level of passenger service on the Auckland suburban rail network and is expected to encourage more people to switch from car to public transport. 

Ensuring passengers are comfortable, well informed and safe is a key objective in the design and these trains will be faster, quieter and energy efficient. The new trains will include the latest developments in railway technology and safety and will provide comfortable and enjoyable rail travel for Aucklanders.   

As the trains travel more swiftly than the current fleet they will be able to shave approximately 10 minutes off the travel from Papakura to Britomart allowing the service to run more often and get passengers to their destinations more quickly.   See artist's impression (above) of one of the new units at Britomart.

In preparation for the introduction of the trains, KiwiRail is electrifying Auckland’s suburban rail network. More information on the electrification of our rail network can be found at the KiwiRail website. 

You can  join Auckland Transport’s Electric Train update email by subscribing online.  Updates will be sent to you when new information becomes available.

A depot to maintain the new trains is now open at Wiri in South Auckland. 

When will it happen

The new electric train service will start in  2014 with the fleet progressively introduced across Auckland through 2014 and 2015. The full network service should be available in 2016.
 

Images on this page are artists' sketches of the mock up currently on display at MOTAT, and show sections of the full-size train that is represented in the 12m-long mock up.

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This fly-through of the interior of the new electric trains for Aucklanders gives you an idea of how the trains will look. The layout and colour scheme are indicative only.