KiwiRail

Scenic train services are reduced to the bare minimum to soften the financial impact from the reduction in tourists.

Reduced ferry services across the Cook Strait is leaving supply chains vulnerable in the event of a crisis, says the Maritime Union of New Zealand.

But it doesn’t expect to get near its pre-Covid tourism revenue until FY24.

Revenue fell at all of the SOE’s scenic train services in a “difficult environment for tourism operators,” says CEO Greg Miller.

KiwiRail, CentrePort and Port Marlborough are seeking a single design partner for the delivery of two new ferry terminals.

KiwiRail’s Auckland electrification rail line project between Papakura and Pukekohe has secured resource consents from the Environmental Protection Authority to commence main works.

The government will invest $1.3bn in KiwiRail over three years as part of the Rail Network Investment Programme.

Nearly 300 jobs created as new site expected to be operational by late 2023.

KiwiRail chair Brian Corban passed away on Saturday.

The SOE is forecasting a significant fall in annual tourist passenger numbers for FY21.

KiwiRail’s Northern Explorer has opened bookings for its first dedicated pride train service.

KiwiRail’s three scenic train services recorded a 65% fall in revenue, or $7.6m, for the six months ending December 2020.

Passenger trains started rolling again at Auckland’s Britomart Station on Monday after a three-week closure for a new scissor track crossing and some rail replacement.

KiwiRail plans to build a new ferry terminal at its current Kaiwharawhara terminal within four years to support its new Interislander ferries.

Auckland’s metro rail network will shut down from Saturday 26 December to Sunday 10 January as KiwiRail undertakes repair work.

A main focus for KiwiRail’s for the coming year is to grow tourism by delivering enhanced tourism offerings.

Covid-19 impacts on KiwiRail’s Interislander and scenic trains saw its operating surplus fall to $40m for the year to June 2020, down 27% on the previous year.

A weekend charter service using Te Huia rail carriages will operate in January, providing a one-off experience for visitors to the Waikato and Auckland regions.

KiwiRail’s Kaitaki Interislander ferry will resume its ‘Bands on Board’ initiative for travelling musicians over summer.

KiwiRail has gone upmarket and more than doubled fares for its “Scenic Plus” option that offers regional delicacies and local commentary.

KiwiRail’s Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific trains will resume service from late Spring.

Downer NZ has been awarded the contract for the Third Main project, in Auckland, delivering an additional main rail line into Auckland.

KiwiRail’s long distance scenic services will be back this summer after closing during the Covid-19 lockdown.

KiwiRail’s proposed new ferries will be able to carry almost 2000 passengers.

A significant track maintenance programme is underway on Auckland’s Eastern train line, says KiwiRail. 

KiwiRail’s Interislander ferries have moved around 650 essential transport, medical and export industry workers between the North and South Islands in the past fortnight.

KiwiRail is suspending its three tourist services to help combat the spread of Covid-19.

KiwiRail has welcomed the Government’s massive $6.8bn transport funding injection that will boost Auckland rail commuting.

KiwiRail has re-opened the section of line at Omoto near Greymouth allowing the TranzAlpine to resume full operations.

KiwiRail has been recognised for its campaign to relaunch the Coastal Pacific Great Journeys of New Zealand service following the Kaikoura earthquake.

The operator is targetting expansion into three regions for its scenic services.

The SOE reveals its tourism income as it ploughs $80m into its scenic services.

The government has provided $250K from its PGF for a feasibility study into a new passenger rail service on the West Coast.

The rail and ferry operator’s Peter Reidy is to leave the state owned enterprise to take the helm at the building firm.

KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry Kaiarahi heads across to Nelson at the end of this week, marking the start of an annual maintenance and inspection programme for all three ferries.

KiwiRail is celebrating a record tourism season fuelled by growing visitor numbers to New Zealand and a global rail renaissance.

An Interislander ferry will sound its horn to mark the time the Wahine struck Barrett Reef and another will form the backdrop to a flotilla on Wellington Harbour, as KiwiRail helps commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Wahine tragedy.

Interislander revenue and passenger growth helped KiwiRail make a $15.3m operating surplus in the six months to December 2017, up 39% on the same period a year earlier.

A year on it is pleasing to see progress made, delivering some respite for residents and truck drivers.

One of New Zealand’s most beloved tourism experiences, KiwiRail’s iconic TranzAlpine train journey, has marked 30 years of operation with celebrations in Christchurch and Greymouth.

KiwiRail’s resilience and ability to adapt to disruption saw it take home the supreme award at the AUT Business School Excellence in Business Support Awards on Wednesday night.

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As KiwiRail undergoes a government review of its business, the Ticker catches up with chief executive Peter Reidy to talk tourism and the prospects for the rail company’s $100m tourism-focused business.

Sailings of the Interislander ferries have been cancelled from Wednesday night because of predicted severe weather in Cook Strait, with up to 7-metre-high waves forecast through till Friday morning.

Securing passenger flow between the North and South islands has prompted KiwiRail to spend €45m (NZ$72m) to buy the Kaitaki Interislander ferry.