A delay but there
It seems Monday the 18th the Electric Trains will start running on the Manukau Line in the off-peak periods as part of that limited roll out. They were meant to start plying the Manukau Line on the 13th but that never happened.
September/October is when the Electric Train fleet should be fully replacing the diesels on the Manukau Line both peak and off-peak. Or will they?
With the Long Term Plan 2015-2025 budget cuts from Auckland Council delaying the purchase of more Electric Trains (beyond the 57 already on order) to beyond 2025 will we see our diesels still plying the network post 2015 when the Electrics are fully rolled out? Something yet to be seen as the LTP debates continue.
[Update from Auckland Transport]
A second rail line going electric
15/08/2014 04:18 p.m.
The roll-out of electric trains in Auckland steps up next week with the introduction of the new trains on the Manukau Line.
Initially electric trains will run on some off-peak services, they will be introduced to all services over the next month.
Auckland Transport’s Chief Operations Officer Greg Edmonds says the new trains have been very popular since their introduction on the Onehunga Line in April but with any transition we should be prepared for “teething problems.”
“We want to ensure our customers who use the trains to Manukau are getting a reliable service so we will be gradually increasing the number of electric trains over the next month.”
Meanwhile, testing continues across the rail network following an intermittent power fault which saw some Onehunga services affected. Mr Edmonds stresses there are no safety issues associated with the fault.
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Source: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/a-second-rail-line-going-electric/
Talking Southern Auckland 