7. Question No. 7—TransportTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 7—Transport7. TERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about investments in passenger rail?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Last week along with the Minister of Finance I announced that the Government would co-fund a fleet of 18 new hybrid four-car trains for the lower North Island region along with the Greater Wellington Regional Council. This investment will strengthen public transport links for those travelling in and out of Wellington from Palmerston North Ōtaki the Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa. We will also support growth along these rail corridors that will deliver huge productivity benefits for the regions and the country. We know that the Manawatū and Wairarapa lines will have exceeded capacity by 2030 and that there is untapped demand for getting more people on to these lines. That's why we've invested in building up the rail lines in recent years. That's why we're currently refurbishing carriages for the Capital Connection and that's why we're now putting our penny down to transform passenger rail services for the region and futureproof for growth in the years ahead.Terisa Ngobi: What benefits will the investment in the lower North Island rail programme deliver for rail users?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Well the new trains will replace the current fleet from the 1970s and will at least double the peak service capacity along both lines enabling around 1.5 million additional trips per year. This will provide significant time savings of commuters of up to 15 minutes on both the Manawatū and the Wairarapa lines. The new trains will operate using a combination of electric wires batteries and fuel lowering our carbon emissions by around half a million tonnes making us less reliable on volatile international energy markets. The investment for the network needed to enable the new trains will also build in much more resilience for both passenger and freight services and stations will be revitalised to meet modern accessibility and amenity standards to improve the experience for passengers. I thank the member Terisa Ngobi for advocating for these services on behalf of the community of Ōtaki. Tangi Utikere: What reactions has he seen to the announcement of the Government's investment in new trains for the lower North Island region? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Well I have seen a range of very positive reports about the investment. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter said The new trains will revolutionise life for commuters in the Wairarapa Hutt Valley Manawatū Horowhenua and Kāpiti who need access to Wellington Porirua and Palmerston North. Horizons Regional Council chairwoman Rachel Keedwell said that we know our communities will be really excited by this prospect. And finally Save Our Trains campaigner Paul Callister said "This is a huge win and there are considerable benefits. These new trains will connect people promote economic development and help reduce our carbon emissions." I want to thank the councils and campaigners who we've worked with constructively in recent years to make this investment a reality for the people of the Wellington region including the good folks of Palmerston North.Tangi Utikere: What other work is the Government doing to improve passenger rail services?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Since 2017 our Government has invested $8.6 billion to reverse a long period of managed decline and build a resilient and reliable network for the people and the freight of New Zealand. This investment has gone into the bread and butter work of replacing tracks installing new culverts and bridges and upgrading turnouts all of which are needed for a safe and effective network. I'm proud of our investment across New Zealand's great rail network. It's one of the most carbon-efficient regional development building investments that we can make and it's great to see this investment in the Wellington region."