Capital Connection (train)
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| Service type | Commuter rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Operating | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Lower North Island, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | 15 April 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator(s) | KiwiRail Scenic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former operator(s) | CityRail (1991 – 1995) Tranz Metro (1995 – 2001) Tranz Scenic (1995 – present) |
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| Ridership | 185,472 trips (2008 – 2009) 159,641 (2011 – 2012) |
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| Website | http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/other-services/capital-connection/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start | Palmerston North | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| End | Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 136 km (85 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 2 hours, 6 minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Daily each way (Mon-Fri) No service Sat, Sun, and Public Holidays |
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| On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | Standard class only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements | Airline-style Alcove with table |
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| Sleeping arrangements | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto-rack arrangements | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On-board café | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all carriages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks Baggage carriages |
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New Zealand DF class locomotive (1979)s S class carriages (ex-British Rail Mark 2) |
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| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter train between Palmerston North and Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand. It is operated by KiwiRail Scenic Journeys. The service began in 1991. It is the only unsubsidised commuter service in New Zealand.
The service started on Monday 15 April 1991 as the Cityrail Express, with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North - Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides.
From 1991 the train was operated by New Zealand Rail suburban passenger division CityRail, which was re-branded Tranz Metro in 1995 when New Zealand Rail itself was rebranded Tranz Rail. In 2001, with the partial sale of Tranz Scenic (the long-distance passenger division of Tranz Rail), the company sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services (which remained in Wellington under Tranz Metro), operation of the train was transferred to Tranz Scenic.
The train operates Monday-Friday from Palmerston North to Wellington in the morning, returning in the evening.
On Sunday 19 June 1994 a weekend service from Palmerston North to Wellington and return started. The power/baggage van, catering car and 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car (ex Masterton) made up the consist. It attracted minimal patronage and was withdrawn in 1994.
Concerns were raised that once the Kapiti Line services were extended north from Paraparaumu to Waikanae, the Capital Connection would lose passengers. In 2010 KiwiRail stated it would consider changes after evaluating what impact the metro system has on the Capital Connection's patronage. The extension to Waikanae was opened in 2011. By July 2012 the future of the service seemed to be very uncertain. KiwiRail announced it would make a decision on the service in August 2012. Patronage dropped by 26,000 trips per annum (from 185,472 trips in the 2008-09 financial year to 159,641 in the 2011–12 financial year.)
The Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Horowhenua District Council proposed partial funding but needed the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to agree to continue the service. NZTA's public transport funding criteria require that a service must reduce traffic on a congested road. In August 2012 Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons (Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council) proposed a business case for a subsidy which was evaluated by NZTA.
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