Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

[john-ston]

This weeks problems would have still happened if the matanagi's were in/out of service. The line is only as good as its weakest link, and thats the falling to pieces Ganz-Mavang.

The article you posted this morning specifically referred to a locomotive that moves trains (i.e. a shunting locomotive). That delay would still have happened even if all the EMUs were brand new.

I guess the Ganz are breaking down so much since the priority is getting the Matangis running so they haven't been getting the required maintenance.

Plus I imagine that the English Electric units are getting a bit long in the tooth, requiring the Ganz Mavags to work double time.

One possible stop gap solution might be to delay the implementation of the Matangis on the Johnsonville Line that was due in May for 6 months and use these units on either the Kapiti or Hutt Line.

I would agree there; perhaps given the uptake, the Rotem units should first be used to implement the timetable that would exist when they are all here (and all the English Electrics are gone) and then replace the English Electric units last. If petrol carries on increasing in price, then perhaps we might still need those English Electric units.

[scooter]

This weeks problems would have still happened if the matanagi's were in/out of service. The line is only as good as its weakest link, and thats the falling to pieces Ganz-Mavang.

The article you posted this morning specifically referred to a locomotive that moves trains (i.e. a shunting locomotive). That delay would still have happened even if all the EMUs were brand new.

I understand that it was the shunter pushing the Overlander cars into place for the 7.30 departure. If so then its location when I saw it (7am) was right across the J'Ville line, the up main and the bi-di line. Guess that HVL services were able to run past on the down main and loop around the back of it; and not sure why another shunter couldnt have hauled it away unless it partially derailed or fouled a point.

[param1974]

More problems on the line this morning

7:35 btwn Mana & Wgtn cancelled due to operational reasons.

Would like to know what the operational reasons are exactly.....

[WMR1886]

More problems on the line this morning

7:35 btwn Mana & Wgtn cancelled due to operational reasons.

Would like to know what the operational reasons are exactly.....

The problem was that the 7.02 ex Waikanae was only two units/4 cars. This happened on the first day of the new timetable but other days since then when I've caught this train (from Paraparaumu, at 7.07) it has thankfully been 3 units/6 cars, which have been very full by Plimmerton but at least still able to take on passengers.

With two units the result was the same as on that first day - the whole thing was pretty much packed when it left Paraparaumu, with people standing the entire length of the corridor (certainly the first car anyway; there may have been standing room down in the rear cars, but probably not for long). So it was announced that it would run express from Plimmerton to the city - there was simply no way anyone could have got on at Mana, Paremata or Porirua. I subscribe to the text alerts and there was only one all morning, as quoted above.

Incidentally, the old 7.00am from Paraparaumu was usually only two units, which is why I normally used to catch the 7.18 ex Pram - (almost) always 3 units. These trains were also good because they did not stop at Mana or Paremata - now the 7.02 and 7.17 ex Waikanae do stop there (and Paremata is always a very busy stop). Adding to the current congestion is that there certainly appears to have been a big increase in passengers from Waikanae (many no doubt driving there from further north) - this is reflected in the fact that the Pram carpark is now about half as full as it used to be c. 7am (and that's a bonus).

I realise that there is a limited number of units, but I suspect the 7.02 ex Waikanae is now one of the most popular morning peak trains in the Wgtn network - it really needs to be 3 units every weekday or congestion will effectively mean the cancellation of services from Mana/Paremata etc. It was suggested that the introduction of Matangis on the Hutt line would help free up extra capacity ...

[axio]

Problems with the East by West Wellington ferry this morning.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-storie ... ellington/

[param1974]

Have your say on Wellington's rail network here.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/op ... Train-pain

Proof enough that the system is ridiculous. Biggest question on everybody's lips, where the hell are the Matangi's?

[Chris Randal.]

Biggest question on everybody's lips, where the hell are the Matangi's?

All broke?

That's what happens when you don't buy Bombardier! (Just pre-empting Jodi here )

[greenwelly]

Biggest question on everybody's lips, where the hell are the Matangi's?

All broke?

To quote the chair of the regional council,

Ms Wilde said she had heard rumours that there were problems with the trains(the new matangis) , but labelled them (the comments) "unsubstantiated crap"

.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4750433/Boost-to-Wellington-train-network

[scooter]

Biggest question on everybody's lips, where the hell are the Matangi's?

All broke?

That's what happens when you don't buy Bombardier! (Just pre-empting Jodi here )

Because people have this unreasonable expectation that all 48 units would've rolled off the boat by now and be in service..... despite the timelines given in every GWRC release on the subject.

The Ganz's took nine months to get the whole fleet into revenue service. I'd say that for the Matangi's that process has really only just begun (despite 4103's initial running in December since its spent 6 weeks since in multi-car testing with 4132) so we'll see how that timeline eventuates.

[Daniel]

Looks like the Johnsonville line had its turn this morning;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4804412/Delayed-trains-replaced-by-buses

[scooter]

Looks like the Johnsonville line had its turn this morning;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4804412/Delayed-trains-replaced-by-buses

DM/D unit failed at Simla Crescent

[WellyWanderer]

Rail overhead wire vandals 'dicing with death'

Here's part of the reason for the disruptions on the Kapiti Line yesterday morning:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/71692/rail-overhead-wire-vandals-%27dicing-with-death%27

[eurokiwi]

At least this time its not the trains.....

[The King]

Look at what Tranz Metro are doing with train services from next week

From Tuesday 5 April and for the next few weeks between 6am and 9am weekdays, if you're boarding between Paremata and Takapu Road stations, you’ll see extra staff at your platform.

They’ll be clipping tickets before you board, so make sure you’ve got yours ready. Staff on the platform will be selling single trip tickets but accepting cash only.

This will help us ensure everyone has paid their fare. Please allow more time for your journey if you are travelling at
these times.

For a short time you may notice your Melling trains looking suspiciously like buses
Recently there have been quite a few people riding the train, this means some lines are at their limit. To ensure there’s enough room for everybody, from Tuesday 5 April we’ll be temporarily using buses between 6am and 9am to free up carriages for other lines.

Please expect delays and allow more time for your journey. We understand this is an inconvenience to you, but it’s just a short-term thing – we’ll have them back to you as soon as we can.

Because of this, your May monthly pass will be $100 for travel on the Melling Line. We thank you for your patience.

No Wairarapa surcharge from Upper Hutt during the morning peak
From Monday 04 April, passengers at Upper Hutt boarding a Wellington bound Wairarapa morning peak service will not be asked to pay the usual $1 supplement.

This is a temporary measure until the overcrowding on some of our other peak services is reduced. You now have more trains to choose from for your usual fare or when using your monthly pass.

http://www.tranzmetro.co.nz/Detail.aspx ... 4013191906

I would have thought with the 2 Matangi units in service, the Melling line would not have to be replaced by buses. Now Melling line passengers have to get stuck in the horrible traffic To be honest I feel that Melling line passengers are being treated unfairly even though I understand Tranz Metro's intentions.

[kaiwhara]

Sounds like they are having major problems with the Jville fleet which has in part led to this outcome.

[The King]

^ definitely

Now J'ville can get their normal 4 car trains.

But I think Melling services could utilise a 2-car set as a compromise.

[Andrew]

I guess it's more economic to do this rather than repair EEs they can scrap with the incoming Matangis - repairs which would only be used for a couple of weeks or months at best.

[john-ston]

I wonder if the Greater Wellington Regional Council were a little ambitious when they opened the electrification extension back in February? Perhaps a better solution might have been deferring the electrification extension opening until sufficient rolling stock was available.

[scooter]

No problem with the enforcement of ticketing. If this is something new then they need to do it more often.

If the remaining EE's are struggling then I understand the need for TranzMetro to do what they are. I wonder if theres also some admission in here that the number of units on some peak services are wrong as well.

Whatever the core reason is I expect that the ComPost will be all over this on Monday morning finding all the disgruntled Melling commuters that they can (even if services on other lines might not be as crowded as they have been the past 6 weeks). And they'll be playing up the 'where are the new trains' angle for sure....

I wonder if the Greater Wellington Regional Council were a little ambitious when they opened the electrification extension back in February? Perhaps a better solution might have been deferring the electrification extension opening until sufficient rolling stock was available.

Maybe..... I think that would've been a PR nightmare. How do you explain that to Waikanae that its coming, and then its not? I for one back the fact they opened it and put the new timetable in place to try and adjust commuters habits, even if there may be some issues with capacity on some services that have appeared as a result.

[john-ston]

Maybe..... I think that would've been a PR nightmare. How do you explain that to Waikanae that its coming, and then its not? I for one back the fact they opened it and put the new timetable in place to try and adjust commuters habits, even if there may be some issues with capacity on some services that have appeared as a result.

What is happening now is going to be more of a PR nightmare. The way I would have approached the Waikanae extension was saying that it will open as soon as we have fresh rolling stock that is operating on a regular basis.