Train services are resuming in Wellington after an electrical fault left hundreds of commuters stranded trying to get home.
Commuters at Wellington Railway Station - shortly after the fault between the station and Kaiwharawhara. Photo: RNZ / Simon Dickinson
KiwiRail said an overhead wire between Kaiwharawhara and Wellington Railway Station was damaged about 5.45pm.
Three trains were stuck between platforms, prompting complaints from some on board that they were getting little information abut what was happening.
Oh dear. On train, just pulled out of Wellington station, power has gone out and train stopped. Other trains around us in dark.
— Caitlin Carew (@greeniecaitlin) May 3, 2017
One passenger, who did not want to be named, told RNZ they could not open the doors to relieve the heat and people were told they were stuck until a way to get them off was found.
"My concern now is that the train is jam-packed with people, lots of people standing and obviously on their way home," she said.
"A lot of people may now need to use the bathroom, it's getting really hot - although they say the aircon is working, it is obviously packed with people and it is sweltering."
Metlink said its services had resumed but commuters should expect delays to Johnsonville and Waikanae.
For those trying to get to the Hutt Valley, it would put on replacement buses between Wellington and Petone for the rest of the evening.
Train services between Petone and Upper Hutt were back up and running.
Buses were replacing trains from Wellington Train Station. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
"All services arriving and departing Wellington are suspended due to an overhead power fault." Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
