9 Jun 2009

Commuter rail delays getting worse in Wairarapa

11:06 am on 9 June 2009

Commuters are growing more frustrated over delays and cancellations on the rail network in Wellington.

Last month travellers on the Hutt Valley line complained about constant breakdowns and defective heating units in railway carriages.

Now Wairarapa commuters are complaining about delays and unexplained train cancellations, which they say have become worse over the past three or four months.

One commuter says there appears to be no accountability and no-one seems to be worried.

Two years ago, the Government and the Wellington Regional Council announced $25 million would be spent on 18 new carriages for the Wairarapa line.

But WRC chair Fran Wilde says the locomotives don't have enough power to pull the new rolling stock.

KiwiRail says there is no quick fix and is asking for patience.