KiwiRail’s Overlander has been upgraded in the hope it will become a drawcard for New Zealand tourists.
The Auckland to Wellington train service, now the Northern Explorer, was launched from Britomart Station this morning with its first passengers on board.
KiwiRail passenger general manager Deborah Hume, says the new train is of international standard.
“This is a fundamentally different service to the Overlander with a focus on tourism and experiential travel.”
Ms Hume and KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn were at Britomart to farewell the new train, as were Auckland Tourism’s Visitor Experience Manager Brent Warren and Auckland Council’s Transport Committee Chair Mike Lee.
The public had the chance to see the train at Britomart yesterday before it went into service.
The new service will run from Auckland on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and from Wellington on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
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