New Zealand’s KiwiRail (www.tranzscenic.co.nz) is well known
for its spectacular TranzAlpine service that crosses the Southern Alps from
Christchurch to Greymouth and its Coastal Pacific route from Christchurch to
Picton. These routes have primarily become tourist services with modern scenic
carriages and tourist services.
The North islands 60-year-old Overlander service between
Wellington and Auckland does not have the same tourist appeal and passenger
numbers for domestic point-to-point services have dramatically declined in
recent years.
From June 2012 the North islands Overlander service is
upgrading to smart tourist trains. The new service will drop from a daily
service to three trains from Wellington and three trains from Auckland every
week. Journeys will be faster, have modern scenic carriages, will make fewer
stops and new saloon, cafe and open air viewing carriages will be standard on
all routes.
Long distance train travel in New Zealand is developing into
an international-standard travel experience rather than simply getting people
from one place to another. As one of the most stunningly scenic countries New
Zealand is hoping that these developments will revitalise the North Island
service and attract more overseas and local tourists.
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