A full sized model of one of the Auckland's new electric trains has been unveiled to allow final testing of its interior design.
The 12-metre mock-up of a section of a carriage will be used to test the layouts of the Spanish-built trains due to begin service in about 18 months.
Fifty-seven of the three-car electric units will replace Auckland's diesel-powered trains in a deal costing more $500 million.
Wireless internet access and allocated space for bicycles are just some of the features of the trains.
At the unveiling on Monday, Auckland mayor Len Brown said state of the art design and performance will attract new commuters to rail.
New figures from Auckland Transport show public transport patronage has risen nearly 9% in the past year, passing 71 million journeys for the first time since its heyday in the 1950s.
